Abstract: In the financial-services industry, there are online centers that help brokers to match sellers and buyers of stock based on indications of interest (IOIs). However, at least some of these centers are not only limited in the types of IOIs that they provide, but also in the ways how they allow IOI senders to control IOI usage. Accordingly, to facilitate trades, one exemplary system provides an IOI which is associated with an online negotiation capability. Some versions of this system provide mechanisms for users, such as broker-dealers, to define different IOI response privileges for recipients of their IOIs. To reduce the market risks of failed negotiations, some versions provide automated features for comparing confidential information from traders and initiating online negotiations for stock transactions contingent on favorable comparisons.

Abstract: A liquid container for a liquid ejection apparatus includes: a case having a liquid containing portion in its interior; a supply portion which is formed on a first side wall of the case, and through which a liquid in the liquid containing portion can flow to an exterior; a contact portion, which can contact a part of a slider of the liquid ejection apparatus to move the slider in a direction in which the liquid container is inserted; and an engagement portion, which is configured to engage a lock portion of the slider. The contact portion and the engagement portion are formed on a second side wall of the case, the second side wall intersecting the first side wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a web-based graphical user interface to a legacy insurance data process system to increase the functionality and ease of use in issuing insurance quotes and policies, providing insurance information and other insurance related services. The system and method integrate use of Internet technology in business work flows, provide dynamic data entry for insurance coverage packages and pricing programs, offer easy access to value-added products and services, and enable local printing of professional insurance applications, proposals and forms to facilitate immediate delivery of professional-quality proposals to customers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing a cable core from a cable sheath, which cable core comprises an envelope (8), wherein, at an end of the cable (1), a flowable medium (22) is introduced under pressure into the cable tube (9) so as to reduce friction, and a tensile force (F) is exerted on the cable core at an end (5) of the cable (1). To provide a method by which existing cables can be freed from their core in as quick and inexpensive a manner as possible, it is provided for the flowable medium to be introduced precisely targeted into the annular space between the inner side of the cable sheath and the envelope (8) of the cable core.

Abstract: An imaging and workflow method, system, computer readable medium and user interface for processing information efficiently for the processing of medical prescription orders. The system includes support for document scanning, automated rules-based order processing, statistical reporting, document generation and document storage and retrieval. The present invention takes advantage of imaging technology to assist the user in scanning information into the system and software modules to improve the processing of orders. The present invention also includes database tables that identify to application processing logic the types and sequences of actions to be implemented for orders.

Abstract: An interactive computer assisted method compiles comprehensive health care information on patients in a central repository, assesses and analyzes this information, and identifies high utilizers of health care services using a computer and a user associated therewith. The method includes the steps of creating a central repository of various databases containing patient information, including demographic information and behavior, and optionally the results of a core survey of health status questions. The invention optionally involves the step of determining the appropriate core questions and the criteria to determine whether and when to ask certain questions of particular patients based on their response to prior questions.

Abstract: The invention produces contactless radial position sensors having an equivalent angular aperture greater than 90°, and substantially eliminates the spurious microvibrations due to the imperfections of the current sensors. For this, the invention uses at least four independent sensors and an electronic device capable of virtually placing in series said sensors in groups of two or three in order to spread the equivalent angular aperture of said groups of sensors.

Abstract: A liquid retainer support is arranged in a body of a liquid ejection apparatus in an immovable manner or in such a manner as to allow reciprocation of the liquid retainer support. A liquid retainer is secured to the liquid retainer support. A liquid retainer chamber is defined in the liquid retainer in such a manner as to allow communication between the liquid retainer chamber and the atmospheric air. A liquid supply system of the liquid ejection apparatus is manufactured by blocking the liquid retainer chamber from the atmospheric air and connecting a liquid passage defining body to the liquid retainer for supplying liquid from a liquid reservoir to the liquid retainer chamber. The liquid passage defining body includes a liquid passage that communicates with the liquid reservoir. In this manner, the cost for manufacturing the liquid supply system is reduced.

Abstract: A device for elastically stabilizing vertebral bodies includes at least two bone anchoring means, each having a central axis and a head segment. The device also includes elastic means that can be joined to the head segments of two adjacent bone anchoring means in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of the elastic means extends transversely to the central axes of the bone anchoring means. Under compressive loads, the elastic means has a progressive spring characteristic. The elastic means is manufactured from a metallic material and has a plurality of spring coils, of which at least two spring coils have a geometric dimension which is different from the other spring coils.

Abstract: Liquid packs 34 provided with liquid leading members 42 are stored in a container case 31 that is constituted by fitting a case main body portion 32 and a lid case 33 in fitting portions 27 and 28, support portions 13, which positions the liquid leading members 42 so as to be opposed to liquid introducing members 71 attached to a cartridge inserting portion 13, are provided on a front surface 32a of the container case 31, the fitting portions 27 and 28 are arranged in a state in which the fitting portions 27 and 28 traverses the support portions 43, and space portions 29 and 30 having a gap larger than a gap formed in the fitting portions 27 and 28 are formed near the support portions 43 in the fitting portions 27 and 28. In this way, liquid flowing through the fitting portions 27 and 28 due to the capillarity is retained by the space portions 29 and 30 and never flows to the fitting portions 27 and 28 further extending from the space portions 29 and 30.

Abstract: An implant for an intervertebral space with a shaped body. The implant has a top contact surface to be placed on a base plate of a body of the vertebra adjoining the implant from above, a bottom contact surface to be placed on a cover plate of a body of the vertebra adjoining the implant from below, two lateral surfaces, a front lateral and a rear lateral surface as well as a central axis that intersects the two contact surfaces, a longitudinal axis that intersects the front and rear lateral surfaces and a transverse axis that intersects the lateral surfaces. The implant also has a central plane situated between the contact surfaces and at right angles to the central axis of the body. The contact surfaces have a plurality of macroscopic teeth with central axes, where the central axes of the plurality of teeth are inclined relative to the central plane in such a manner, that a rotation of the body of 90° about the longitudinal axis is facilitated in one direction and impeded in the other direction.

Abstract: A device pivotally connects two stabilizing parts to a bone. The device comprises at least one bone fixing element with a central axis, an anchor part designed to be fixed in or onto the bone, and a head part that can be attached to both stabilizing parts. The two stabilizing parts are located axially one below the other. Each stabilizing part has a cavity there through running coaxially to the central axis. A clamping element, which can be elastically deformed transversely to the central axis, is rotatably mounted in each cavity. The clamping element has a central bore running coaxially to the central axis for receiving the head part. The device comprises at least one wedge or cone that can be axially clamped in the central bores, enabling the head part of the bone fixing element to be removably fixed in at least one of the stabilizing parts.

Abstract: A damping element includes: two spring elements which are coaxial with or parallel to a longitudinal axis and two axially end-side connectors, where the first spring element exhibits a spring rate F, the second spring element exhibits a spring rate f, and the spring rates F and f are different. A device stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, including N pedicle screws or hooks, where N is greater than or equal to 3 and where each pedicle screw or pedicle hook includes a receiving device receiving a longitudinal affixation device and where an element acting as a spring is inserted between two adjacent pedicle screws or pedicle hooks.

Abstract: A networked commercial interaction management method assembles information into bundles that include a data element reference and meta data describing the data element. The method distributes the meta data and the data element reference from the bundles through the network, and distributes copies of the data elements in the bundles from the network node of their respective data owners to the network nodes of accessors using the meta data and the data element reference distributed through the network. In at least one embodiment, the method periodically issues bundle version identifying signals to different nodes of the network. The bundle version identifying signals indicate changes to the data elements to the network nodes of accessors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating HIV-1 infection in a subject. These methods involve administering to the subject with HIV-1 infection a therapeutically effective amount of a conjugated or immunoconjugated betulinol derivative compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, under conditions effective to treat the subject for HIV-1 infection. Also disclosed are methods inhibiting HIV-1 activity in a cell. These methods involve providing a cell infected with HIV-1 and contacting the cell with a conjugated or immunoconjugated betulinol derivative compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, under conditions effective to inhibit HIV-1 activity in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates particularly to a method and system for integrating an interactive voice response (IVR) environment into an existing host processing system to provide automated telephone responses to callers to the host system. The integrated IVR environment is highly scaleable with hardware and software open to the host system for in-house modification and/or addition of components and applications to accommodate additional and/or modified host business logic, host applications, and other host requirements. The integrated IVR environment also alleviates the high cost often associated with the purchase, installation, and maintenance of the IVR functionality for a host processing system.

Abstract: Ink maintained at a negative pressure state is supplied to an ink-jet recording head via an ink supply mechanism constructed as a differential pressure valve having a coil spring and a movable membrane normally contacted elastically with a valve seat by the coil spring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lens for use with a lamp having at least one LED light source. The lens preferably includes a plurality of projections each having a substantially flat top surface and a plurality of sloping side surfaces, preferably suitable for dispersing the emitted light. Such a variance in light emission may enhance the light being viewed from different angles and positions therefrom.

Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.

Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.