Abstract: An ink cartridge for an ink jet recording device, includes: a container having an ink supply port; at least two ink chambers partitioned in the container, one being located substantially in an upper section and the other being located substantially in a lower section; an ink suction passage connecting a bottom region of the lower section ink chamber to a bottom region of the upper section ink chamber; and a negative pressure generating mechanism provided to a flow passage connecting the upper section ink chamber to the ink supply port.

Abstract: An investor's performance is evaluated by utilizing information pertaining to at least one transaction made by the investor, such as an individual or entity, involving at least one investment. This evaluation includes determining a performance score indicative of the investor's performance relative to other investors. The performance score is determined at least in part by considering an average historical performance of the investment, following the transaction. In addition, the performance score is also determined by a historical consistency of the investor's performances with respect to transactions involving the investment, and the number of transactions made by the investor. Then, the performance score of the investor may be compared against the performance scores of other investors. Advantageously, this performance score may be used to produce a ranked list of investors in a particular industry, as well as with investors in different industries.

Abstract: A liquid container includes: a container body attachable to a container attachment portion of an apparatus side; a liquid chamber, provided in the container body, for accommodating a liquid therein; a liquid supply hole connectable to a liquid receiving portion of the apparatus side; a liquid leading path for leading the liquid stored in the liquid chamber to the liquid supply hole; an air open hole for introducing outside air into the liquid chamber as the liquid in the liquid chamber is consumed; pressure regulating means, provided in a portion of the liquid leading path, for regulating a pressure of the liquid to be supplied to the liquid receiving portion through the liquid supply hole and hindering a reverse flow of the liquid from the liquid supply hole to the liquid chamber; a first bypass path for causing first and second liquid leading passages of the liquid leading path, provided respectively before and after the pressure regulating means, to communicate with each other; and a first bypass blocking

Abstract: A bioretention system and method are provided for removing phosphorus, nitrogen and other materials from effluent such as wastewater and stormwater. The system and method can include a filtration media comprising water treatment residuals and other fill such as soil. Plants can be growing in the soil. The system can also include a drainage system to regulate outflow, to function during both low and high throughputs of water.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant has two U-shaped inserts set over each other with a center piece in between. The two inserts each have an opposing base surface, two lateral side surfaces, and a contact surface. The contact surface has a channel configured to receive a spinal process of a vertebral body. The center piece has two resting surfaces corresponding respectively to each contact surfaces. The contact and resting surfaces each have corresponding structures that can engage each other such that the U-shaped inserts can each be fastened in a detachable manner to the center piece. The U-shaped inserts each have on the same lateral side surface connecting means to fasten the inserts to gripping elements of a surgical instrument. And the first and second structures can be engaged or disengaged only by the lateral side surface fitted with the connecting means.

Abstract: A dicing die attachment film includes a die attachment layer attached to one surface of a semiconductor wafer; a dicing film layer attached to a dicing die that is used for cutting the semi-conductor wafer into die units; and an intermediate layer laminated between the die attachment layer and the dicing film layer. The intermediate layer has a modulus of 100 to 3000 MPa, which is greater than a modulus of the die attachment layer and the dicing film layer.

Abstract: A Straight-Through-Processing (STP) trading platform provides a fully electronic and seamless solution to all substantially aspects of the trading cycle for fixed income instruments and other financial instruments. In an exemplary embodiment, all participants to a trade transaction have access to computer software that facilitates trade order management, trade order generation, trade execution (including electronic axes), trade allocation, allocation acknowledgement, trade confirmation, and finally acquisition of settlement instructions. In said exemplary embodiment, the STP trading platform includes computer software modules including at least an account management module and an electronic trading module to handle the various stages of executing a trade, confirming the trade, and facilitating settlement of the trade.

Abstract: A flexible spinal fixation device having a flexible metallic connection unit for non-rigid stabilization of the spinal column. In one embodiment, the fixation device includes at least two securing members configured to be inserted into respective adjacent spinal pedicles, each securing member each including a coupling assembly. The fixation device further includes a flexible metal connection unit configured to be received and secured within the coupling assemblies of each securing member so as to flexibly stabilize the affected area of the spine.

Abstract: A surgical drill guide for use with a bone plate having fastener holes oriented at predetermined angles with respect to the plate, the surgical drill guide having at least one alignment drill guiding barrel that is aligned with the respective fastener holes in the bone plate for drilling the holes at the desired range of angles permitted by the plate hole.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting optical aberrations in optical devices, such as wide-field microscopes, optical tweezers and optical media devices, such as DVD drives. The system uses adaptive optics to correct optical aberrations, such as spherical and space-variant aberrations. Spherical aberrations can be corrected using one adaptive optical elements and space-variant aberrations can be corrected using numerous adaptive optical elements in tandem. The adaptive optical elements may be of several types, such as a liquid lenses, deformable membrane mirrors or various liquid crystal phase and amplitude modulators. Adaptive optics can also be used to simultaneously shift the focus of the optical device and correct optical aberrations.

Abstract: A closing element for a packaging for receiving liquid or paste-like material, especially for film bags, and having a closable spout member, a weld member adjoining the closable spout member, and an outlet channel which extends through the weld member and the spout member, and also a film bag comprising such a closing element. To improve the pouring characteristics and for an easier emptying of the contents of the bag, the outlet channel in the weld member extends at least in part in funnel-like manner towards the spout member.

Abstract: A minimally invasive fixation system and method for providing access to a surgical site. The fixation system may include a holding assembly, the holding assembling preferably including a lateral implant holder which may be attached to a pedicle screw and a sleeve positioned in connection with the lateral implant holder to prevent the lateral implant holder from separating from the pedicle screw. The sleeve may further include a tissue protection portion to keep the tissue out of the surgical site. A holding sleeve may be operably connected to the holding assembly and pedicle screw and may be used to insert the pedicle screw into the body. Multiple constructs may be inserted into the body so that a portion of the holding assembly extends from the body and provides access to and visualization of the surgical site. A rod holder may also be used to insert a rod into the head of the screw. The rod may be held by the rod holder so that the rod may be angulated as the rod is inserted into the screw heads.

Abstract: A modular intervertebral implant or a modular intervertebral disk prosthesis has a middle piece or central section equipped with elements for detachable fixation to one or two apposition plates designed to rest against the base plate or cover plate of an intervertebral body. A modular kit of such modular implants or disks includes n central sections and m apposition plates, where n=2 and m=4 and preferably n=3 and m=6. The surfaces of the apposition plates that face the central section have elements complementary to the elements for detachable fixation on the central section.

Abstract: A device for treating spinal stenosis having an implant body structure sized and configured to be positioned between the spinous processes of two adjacent vertebrae. The device may have a body portion having a first end portion, a second end portion and a sleeve between the first and second end portions. The device may also have at least two retainers positioned in and extendable from the body portion. A mechanism positioned within the body portion may be used to move the retainers between a retracted position and a deployed position. When the retainers are in the deployed position, the retainers may be positioned around the spinous process of at least one of two adjacent vertebrae. A plurality of installation tools may be used to install the device.

Abstract: Selectively demineralized bone-derived implants are provided. In one embodiment, a bone sheet for implantation includes a demineralized field surrounding mineralized regions. In another embodiment, a bone defect filler includes a demineralized cancellous bone section in a first geometry. The first geometry is compressible and dryable to a second geometry smaller than the first geometry, and the second geometry is expandable and rehydratable to a third geometry larger than the second geometry.

Abstract: A Straight-Through-Processing (STP) trading platform provides a fully electronic and seamless solution to substantially all aspects of the trading cycle for fixed income instruments and other financial instruments. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more customers, one or more dealers and one or more prime brokers have access to computer software that facilitates trade order management, trade order generation, trade execution, trade allocation, allocation acknowledgement, trade confirmation, acquisition of settlement instructions, and the generation of progress reports based on specific metrics criteria. In said exemplary embodiment, the STP trading platform allows a prime broker to monitor and approve a trade where the STP trading platform includes software modules including at least an account management module and an electronic trading module to handle the various stages of executing a trade, confirming the trade, and facilitating settlement of the trade.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid storage unit comprising: a case, a liquid storage part for storing a liquid in the case, with which a liquid port communicates; at least one gas accommodation part for accommodating a gas in the case, with which a gas port communicates, wherein the liquid in the liquid storage part is led out through the liquid port by a pressure of a gas introduced from the gas port; an inner case provided in the case having a pair of openings on opposite side faces thereof; and a pair of flexible partitioning members sealing said pair of openings of the inner case respectively, thereby partitioning the liquid storage part therebetween and defining said at least one of the gas accommodation part in cooperation with the case.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording device for supplying ink to a recording head from at least one ink cartridge having a bottom wall, and first and second side walls connected to each other through the bottom wall and facing each other, the ink cartridge further having an ink supply port at the bottom wall, a first retaining member extending from the first side wall and a recess provided in the vicinity of the second side wall, the retaining member having a first engagement portion displaceable toward and away from the first side wall.

Abstract: An ink cartridge is composed of the body of a container provided with an ink supply port for discharging ink into a print head for housing ink and a lid for sealing the body of the container so that the container can communicate with the air. A semiconductor memory device storing information related to ink is mounted on the surface of the body of the container or the cap and is coated with a removable film.