Abstract: A system for distracting two tissue surfaces away from one another within a spine, involving a plurality of biocompatible and generally rectangular spinal inserts configured to be successively stacked within a spine to distract the two tissues surfaces away from one another. Each spinal insert has a generally planar top surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a generally planar bottom surface disposed generally parallel to the top surface and including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a beveled surface extending from at least one of the leading edge of the planar top surface and the leading edge of the planar bottom surface. The beveled surface is configured to allow a currently inserted spinal insert to be positioned at least one of above and below a previously introduced spinal insert to distract the two tissue surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for managing transactions in which an order is specified online and payment is received at a point of sale (POS). Methods are disclosed for managing payment for such transactions at a POS, including transactions involving payment for both in-store purchases and online orders. Methods are also disclosed for managing inventory and price changes for such transactions where payment can occur at any time in a pay period following order creation. Also disclosed are methods for processing refunds for online orders for which payment was made at a POS. Finally, methods for preventing fraud and abuse as well as restricting the availability of this payment method for certain items are disclosed.

Abstract: A hanger configured to be mounted to a supporting surface includes a fastener receiving body configured to be positioned on the supporting surface. The hanger also includes a hook portion positioned adjacent to the fastener receiving body and configured to receive a retainable object therein. The hanger additionally includes a first datum surface associated with a first orientation direction of the fastener body. The hanger further includes a second datum surface associated with a second orientation direction of the fastener body. The relative positions of the first datum surface and the second datum surface are arranged such that when a fastener tool abuts the first datum surface and the second datum surface, a fastener applied by the fastener tool is positioned within a bounded area of the fastener receiving body.

Abstract: A system for relaying data to a repository from a medical device is disclosed. A receiver is configured to receive data from a medical device, where the data can be an indication of a problem with the medical device. A memory is configured to maintain the data once it has been received. A transmission device is configured to send the data to a data repository over a communication medium. A detector is configured to detect conditions of the communication medium that could affect data exchange and send the data based at least in part on the conditions. A processor is configured to send at least a portion of the data based at least in part on a degree of urgency.

Abstract: A method of receiving a broadcast service is provided. The method includes receiving uncompressed audio or video content, obtaining information regarding a channel of the uncompressed audio or video content on the basis of a part of the uncompressed audio or video content, and obtaining content and trigger information for the broadcast service by using the obtained information.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for managing transactions in which an order is specified online and payment is received at a point of sale (POS). Methods are disclosed for managing payment for such transactions at a POS, including transactions involving payment for both in-store purchases and online orders. Methods are also disclosed for managing inventory and price changes for such transactions where payment can occur at any time in a pay period following order creation. Also disclosed are methods for processing refunds for online orders for which payment was made at a POS. Finally, methods for preventing fraud and abuse as well as restricting the availability of this payment method for certain items are disclosed.

Abstract: A portable audio device, which includes active noise cancellation circuitry, a hearing aid compliant magnetic radiator, and a speaker/earpiece, is surrounded by ambient acoustic noise. The active noise cancellation circuitry provides an anti-noise signal at an input of the speaker to control/reduce the ambient acoustic noise outside of the device. In addition, the active noise cancellation circuitry provides an inverse anti-noise signal to an input of the magnetic radiator. The magnetic fields produced by the speaker driven by the anti-noise signal and the magnetic radiator driven by the inverse anti-noise signal cancel each other out through phase cancellation such that a hearing aid using a telecoil coupled to the audio device does not produce significant audio waves based on either of these signals. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: This application describes a family of compounds acting as ?-arrestin effectors. Such compounds may provide significant therapeutic benefit in the treatment of chronic and acute cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: A wax composition comprising various waxes and an organically modified polysiloxane (OMP). These materials are mixed and melted into a homogenous liquid state creating a molten blend. It is preferred that the slip agent be added to the blend at least 0.25 percent by weight, and more preferably at 0.50 percent by weight. By mixing OMG with known candle and wax potpourri waxes, the wax becomes much easier to remove from the wax container.

Abstract: Soluble variants of recombinant proteins produced in a prokaryotic host cell, where the high expression levels often cause the original proteins to aggregate into insoluble inclusion body aggregates. The variant polypeptides retain biological function while increasing protein solubility with comparable or higher recoverable levels of biologically active protein when expressed in a suitable expression host. Methods of identifying critical residues and substituting them are provided to produce the variants.

Abstract: A steerable transseptal punch.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for generating a forecast. A first forecast model of a first type is applied to generate first forecast results. A second forecast model of a second type is applied to generate second forecast results. The first and second forecast results are combined using an optimization model to generate combined forecast results, where the optimization model applies one or more constraints to preserve one or more attributes of the first or second forecast results in the combined forecast results.

Abstract: Systems and methods for management of a network connection without heartbeat messages are disclosed. One embodiment of a distributed proxy system performs a method for the communication of state between a client and a server in a distributed content delivery network using a state map. The state map sets a predicted communication correspondence frequency and thus eliminates the use or need of heart beat messages to manage session state and/or convey health status of system components.

Abstract: Provided are methods of making compounds having an inhibitory effect on sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter SGLT. The invention also provides synthetic intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.

Abstract: A display system provides a graphical user interface having a dynamic display field, which is contained within a useable display area. The dynamic display field can have an expanded state and collapsed state, and the current state of the dynamic display field can depend on properties of the useable display area. When collapsed, the dynamic display area has a shared content area and two or more content tags. Each content tag can be active or inactive, and the shared content area shows displayable contents corresponding to active content tags. Tags are activated and deactivated based on user selections. When expanded, the dynamic display field includes dedicated content areas, where each dedicated content area shows a displayable content. Accordingly, when the useable display space allows, the dynamic display field can automatically transition to the expanded state, thereby enabling a greater amount of content to be displayed at a time.

Abstract: A thermally-grown oxygen-containing layer is formed over a control gate in an NVM region, and a high-k dielectric layer and barrier layer are formed in a logic region. A polysilicon layer is formed over the oxygen-containing layer and barrier layer and is planarized. A first masking layer is formed over the polysilicon layer and control gate defining a select gate location laterally adjacent the control gate. A second masking layer is formed defining a logic gate location. Exposed portions of the polysilicon layer are removed such that a select gate remains at the select gate location and a polysilicon portion remains at the logic gate location. A dielectric layer is formed around the select and control gates and polysilicon portion. The polysilicon portion is removed to result in an opening at the logic gate location which exposes the barrier layer.

Abstract: A chain tool can be used to assemble or disassemble links on a chain, in particular a bicycle chain. The chain tool can be shaped and sized to be received within a component of a bicycle. For example, the chain tool can be received into a steerer tube at the head tube of the bicycle. The chain tool can also serve as a part of a headset, such as being a top cap of the headset.

Abstract: Devices used in an oil-containing wastewater treatment system are simplified by efficiently combining differences in processes used in the system. The oil-containing wastewater treatment system includes a separation tank that separates oil by flotation, the separation tank being arranged in a supply path of raw water which is oil-containing wastewater; a membrane filtration tank that is arranged on the downstream of the separation tank and that includes therein a membrane separation module including a hollow fiber membrane or a flat sheet membrane, and a diffuser for generating air bubbles, the diffuser being disposed below the membrane separation module; a supply pipe that supplies the raw water from the separation tank to the membrane filtration tank through a circulating pump; and a return pipe that returns unfiltered water containing the oil and air bubbles from the membrane filtration tank to the separation tank.

Abstract: The present application provides a terpene analogue of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable isomer, salt or ester thereof, and methods and uses thereof for treating neurological conditions such as pain in general and neuropathic pain. These terpene analogues can also be used to treat other electrical disorders in the central and peripheral nervous system. Also provided are methods of synthesizing the terpene analogues of Formula I.

Abstract: An apparatus for suturing body lumens is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible elongated member that has a proximal end, a distal end, a central passage and multiple needle lumens extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. The flexible elongated member further includes an elongated subsection spanning from the end of the needle lumens in the elongated member to a barrel portion that includes corresponding needle lumens on the proximal end of the elongated member. The elongated subsection provides sufficient space between the needles and the barrel portion to allow transapical insertion of the elongated member into a body lumen. The apparatus further includes needles disposed within and advancable from the needle lumens. The apparatus also includes a handle disposed at the proximal end of the elongated member. The handle is operable to retract the needles through the needle lumens toward the handle at the proximal end.