Abstract: An expandable, intervertebral spacer includes a top component and a base component in engagement with the top component, the base component defining at least one channel for receiving a hardening material, and placement of the hardening material within the channel causes the top component to move between a first position in which the top component is a first distance from the base component and a second position in which the top component is a second distance from the base component, the second distance being greater than the first distance. The hardening material can be removed from the channel by a flexible coring tool, and the top component forced toward the base component to collapse the spacer.

Abstract: A speaker system is provided having a line array of drivers wired in parallel and treated with passive or active component systems that serve to electrically taper its effective radiating length with frequency so that it is long/tall at low frequencies and short at higher frequencies, with the effective length of the array determined so as to maintain a listener in the nearfield at typical home and studio listening distances while minimizing the destructive effects of path-length dependent high frequency comb filtering. In alternate embodiments, an array of drivers is provided and wired in series or series-parallel with passive components between the output of one driver and the input of the next. Schemes of active drive and combination schemes of active and passive drive are also contemplated.

Abstract: A system and method for modeling and distributing image data of interest to users is disclosed. Users on user devices such as mobile phones send request messages for image data captured by surveillance cameras of the system. The request messages include information for selecting the image data, such as camera number and time of recording of the image data, in examples. In response, an application server of the system collects the image data from the surveillance cameras, and supplies image data to the users based on a model that the application server creates and updates for each of the users. The model ranks image data of potential interest for each of the users, where the model is based on the information for selecting the image data provided by the users. Preferably, a machine learning application of the application server creates the model for each of the users.

Abstract: Computer implemented systems and methods, and computer program products, for determining one or more proposed configurations of a computing system upon which a software application will be deployed. A proposed configuration may include a computing system having virtualized information technology resources deployed across an enterprise. For example, a method may include receiving software application information, such as information including software application identification information and software application licensing information. The method may further include receiving current computing system requirements information and future computing system requirements information, wherein the future computing system requirements information includes future computing system growth information and future computing system target utilization information.

Abstract: A system is provided for anonymously detecting and blocking threats within a telecommunications network. A network analyzer of the system may intercept traffic, or receive log files, related to traffic that passes over the network, collect metadata that includes values of data attributes associated with the traffic, interpret the metadata and therefrom generate and transmit a request for an associated threat score for the value of a data attribute, and receive the associated threat score and based thereon initiate a block or redirection of the traffic. A score requestor of the system may receive and serve the request by either returning the score from local storage or otherwise, generating and transmitting a secondary request to a scoring engine configured to calculate the associated threat score and the associated threat score to the score requestor to return to the network analyzer.

Abstract: A spacecraft includes a main body structure and a plurality of deployable modular reflector elements, the spacecraft being reconfigurable from a launch configuration to an on-orbit configuration. In the launch configuration, the modular reflector elements are disposed in a storage system that includes an arrangement for supporting the modular reflector elements with respect to dynamic launch loads. In the on-orbit configuration, in some implementations, an assembly of the plurality of modular reflector elements forms a large-aperture, offset fed, reflector, the reflector being coupled with a boom or yoke with the main body structure by way of a two or three axis positioning mechanism configured to steer the reflector with respect to the main body structure. In some implementations, in the on-orbit configuration, the plurality of modular reflector elements are assembled to form a large aperture reflective surface that is self-supporting.

Abstract: A natural gas compressor can include a pre-staging chamber that couples with a supply line to receive natural gas from the supply line. The compressor can additionally include a first-stage chamber that couples with the supply line to receive natural gas from the supply line. The first-stage chamber can additionally be coupled with the pre-staging chamber to receive from the pre-staging chamber natural gas that has been compressed by the pre-staging chamber. The compressor can also include a second-stage chamber configured to receive natural gas that has been compressed by the first-stage chamber.

Abstract: A method includes capturing a digital content segment, generating a first identifier, and associating the first identifier with a digital image in the memory of an electronic device. The method also includes generating a second identifier and associating the second identifier with a digital content segment in the memory. The method further includes transferring at least one of the digital image and the digital content segment to a server computer via a network, wherein the first identifier is transferred in association with the digital image and the second identifier is transferred in association with the digital content segment. The method also includes generating an electronic file providing a sequential clip listing associated with rendering a digital media message. The electronic file includes the first and second identifiers, a first indicator identifying a first frame of the digital media message, and a second indicator identifying a second frame of the digital media message.

Abstract: A method of treating a lens of a patient's eye includes generating a light beam, deflecting the light beam using a scanner to form a treatment pattern of the light beam, delivering the treatment pattern to the lens of a patient's eye to create a plurality of cuts in the lens in the form of the treatment pattern to break the lens up into a plurality of pieces, and removing the lens pieces from the patient's eye. The lens pieces can then be mechanically removed. The light beam can be used to create larger segmenting cuts into the lens, as well as smaller softening cuts that soften the lens for easier removal.

Abstract: A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. The tube includes lines of perforations that allow adjacent dunnage units to be separated. A starting point of the lines of perforations is spaced apart from the inflation edge. The positions of the starting point of the lines of perforations with respect to the inflation edge is selected such that a cutter that cuts the inflation edge clears the line of perforations. Binding or wrinkling is therefore not caused by engagement of the cutter with the lines of perforations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coordinating operation of valves are disclosed. In some examples, an apparatus includes a valve controller to receive a first signal from a first control system to change an operating state of a valve, the valve controller is to provide the first control system exclusive control of the valve. In some examples, the valve controller is to receive a second signal from a second control system requesting permission to operate the valve, and send a response to the second control system indicating the first control system has exclusive control of the valve and has changed an operating state of the valve.

Abstract: A femur plate is provided, the femur plate comprising a first end portion anatomically pre-formed to conform to a trochanter region of the femur and a second end portion anatomically pre-formed to conform to a condyle region of the femur, wherein the second end portion comprises at least one first opening configured to receive a bone fastener. The femur plate further comprises an elongate shaft extending from the first end portion to the second end portion, the elongate shaft comprising at least one second opening configured to receive a bone fastener. Furthermore, a periprosthetic implant system comprising the femur plate and a method of implanting the femur plate are provided.

Abstract: A shaped charge produces a constant velocity jet. The shaped charge is comprised of individual modules which can be assembled to produce a constant velocity jet of arbitrary length. The resulting jet speed is approximately twice the detonation velocity and independent of the liner material. The modular design also allows different liner materials to be used sequentially in the same jet.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, the invention relates to a plasma transfer wire arc thermal spray system, comprising a section for feeding a wire acting as a first electrode, a source of plasma gas providing plasma gas, a nozzle directing the plasma gas stream from the source of plasma gas to a free end of the wire, and a second electrode located in the plasma gas stream towards the nozzle. In certain instances, the nozzle is made at least partially of electrically insulating material. The thermal spray apparatus with the inventive spray gun may have a simplified and faster starting procedure and the spray nozzle can be more durable.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling a position of one or more ground engaging tools of an agricultural implement is relative to a ground surface may include monitoring a position signal indicative of a position of a ground engaging tool of the implement. The position signal may have an associated system delay time. The method also may include estimating an arrival time when the position of the ground engaging tool will be within a predetermined threshold of a target position based on the monitored position signal and the system delay time associated with the monitored position signal. The method may include adjusting the position of the ground engaging tool and terminating the adjustment of the ground engaging tool at a termination time determined based on the arrival time.

Abstract: A server may receive metadata associated with specific content in a transport signal stream from a content information service. The metadata may identify a point in time of the transport signal stream. The server may instruct an encoder to insert a marker into the transport signal stream corresponding to the point in time of the transport signal stream. The marker may indicate control of a trick mode to be enforced by a delivery platform subsequent to the point in time of the transport signal stream. The server may record the marker in a data store associated with the server.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are shown for creating a soft textile expanded apertured film.

Abstract: A power electronic conversion system includes a first electronic component that generates heat; a mounting plate comprising a horizontal plate and a first vertical riser with vertical configuration, wherein the first vertical riser is configured to mount the first electronic component; a first thermal pad disposed between the first electronic component and the first vertical riser to reduce a contact resistance; and a cold plate coupled to the mounting plate and comprised at least one cooling medium passage defined by a plurality of internal fins.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for diagnosing a source of degradation in an exhaust system of a vehicle. In one example, a method may include actuating an electric turbocharger to rotate in a first direction to evaluate integrity of an exhaust pipe of the exhaust system and rotation the turbocharger in a second direction to assess an exhaust manifold of the exhaust system, after an engine of the vehicle is turned off. Pressures generated in the exhaust system are compared to thresholds based on barometric pressure and/or turbocharger speed.