Abstract: An adjustable-width barricade for removable installation at the bottom of a staircase includes a flexible, frameless, planar, and generally-rectangular barrier member that extends between two posts on either side of the staircase. The barrier member is installed in a banister-to-banister configuration, a wall-to-banister configuration, or a wall-to-wall configuration. The barrier member has a front and back surface that forms an interior space therebetween. The adjustable-width barricade further includes a plurality of fasteners extending from one or both sides of the barrier member for tensioning engagement between one or both posts that maintains the lateral or horizontal integrity of the barricade.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for determining a tradable value, such as an SOQ and/or spot index for one or more financial products. The computer-implemented methods include receiving, by a computing device, a data feed having data fields that correspond to messages, orders, quotes, and other financial exchange specific data points. The computing device may be configured to select one or more input sets from the received data feed and determine a score for one or more of the selected input sets. Once one or more input sets are selected, the computing device may calculate an SOQ and/or spot index based on the selected input set(s) and disseminate the calculated SOQ and/or spot index to one or more market entities, such as a clearing corporation.

Abstract: An automated system for routing orders in an exchange configured for trading securities or derivatives is disclosed. The system includes an electronic trade engine operative to receive an order from an originating firm, the order including a designation specifying a preference for a particular market maker for a security or derivative at the exchange. Upon determining that the order cannot trade at the exchange, the electronic trade engine, via an order handling system, is operative to route the order to a second exchange with a second designation that is one of: identical to the designation of the received order or modified to a different designation according to predetermined instructions.

Abstract: A method of providing orders to a virtual trading crowd in an exchange prior to automatically linking the order to an away market includes receiving a marketable order at the exchange, wherein the exchange price differs from a national best bid or offer (NBBO) price, routing the order to a trade engine, disseminating a request for price message, the request for price message including a price equal to the NBBO price, receiving a response message, initiating a quote trigger, wherein the quote trigger occurs for a period of N seconds, allocating at least a portion of the order according to an allocation algorithm, wherein an order size of each market maker is capped to prevent inflation of an allocated portion of the order, and allocating any remaining portion of the order to at least one predetermined market maker guarantor for execution at the NBBO price.

Abstract: A computer system for calculating a government bond volatility index comprising memory configured to store at least one program; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory, in which the at least one program, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to receive data regarding options on government bond derivatives; calculate, using the data regarding options on government bond derivatives, the government bond volatility index; and transmit data regarding the government bond volatility index.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and displaying operating conditions of a winch mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a limited risk derivative based on a realized variance of an underlying equity is disclosed. In one implementation, a limited risk derivative product includes a capped value for a statistical property reflecting a variance of the underlying equity is calculated based on a pari-mutuel action. The capped value comprises a dynamic value and a cap. The dynamic value reflects an average volatility of prices returns of the underlying equity over a predefined period of time and the cap reflects a maximum value of the dynamic value. The limited risk derivative product additionally includes an average of a summation of each squared daily return of the underlying equity included in the value for the statistical property reflecting the variance of the underlying equity.

Abstract: A method of creating and trading derivative contracts based on a statistical property reflecting a variance of an underlying asset is disclosed. Typically, an underlying asset is chosen to be a base of a variance derivative and a processor calculates a value of the statistical property reflecting an average volatility of price returns of the underlying asset over a predefined period. A trading facility display device coupled to a trading platform then displays the variance derivative based on the value of the statistical property reflecting the volatility of the underlying asset and the trading facility transmits variance derivative quotes from liquidity providers over at least one dissemination network.

Abstract: An adjustable-width barricade for removable installation at the bottom of a staircase includes a flexible, frameless, planar, and generally-rectangular barrier member that extends between two posts on either side of the staircase. The barrier member is installed in a banister-to-banister configuration, a wall-to-banister configuration, or a wall-to-wall configuration. The barrier member has a front and back surface that forms an interior space therebetween. The adjustable-width barricade further includes a plurality of fasteners extending from one or both sides of the barrier member for tensioning engagement between one or both posts that maintains the lateral or horizontal integrity of the barricade.

Abstract: Provided are proteins and polynucleotides, complexes and compositions containing the proteins, and methods for their use in administration to subjects and for disease treatment. Among the provided proteins and complexes are complexes containing a TGF-beta associated with immunoglobulins (such as IgGs) or functional portions thereof including Fc portions, such as by non-covalent bonds. The complexes and compositions can be used for administration to subjects, such as for treating a subject with a musculoskeletal disease such as osteoarthritis and/or degenerative joint disease. The complexes and compositions can be used in different mammals, including dogs, horses, and humans.

Abstract: A screw and method for processing metal, metallic alloys, and metal matrix composites in a plastic injection molding machine is disclosed. The screw includes shank with a screw shaft extending from the shank. The screw shaft includes a rear portion proximate to the shank, a middle portion proximate the rear portion, and a front portion proximate the middle portion. Flights extend from the rear portion of the screw shaft for advancing material through the plastic injection molding machine into the middle portion of the screw shaft. Flights may optionally be included in the front portion of the screw.

Abstract: A drill pipe assembly includes a tubular body and a roller assembly for reducing friction between the drill pipe and the inner wall of a wellbore. The tubular body includes a substantially cylindrical body outer surface defining roller pockets. Alternatively, the drill pipe assembly may have a sleeve that fits concentrically and rotatably around the tubular body, with the sleeve outer surface defining the roller pockets. Each roller pocket has a roller assembly that includes an axle having opposed ends retained by the tubular body or the sleeve. A roller is retained by and rotates on each axle, partially disposed in the roller pocket and partially projecting outwardly from the outer surface.

Abstract: An automated trading exchange having integrated quote risk monitoring and quote modification services. An apparatus is implemented using at least one computer, having memory, and a processor. The computer is configured to receive orders and quotes, wherein specified ones of the quotes are contained in a quote group, and have associated trading parameters such as a risk threshold. Not all received quotes are required to have trading parameters as described herein. Preferably, the quote group contains all the quotes, or a subset of quotes, belonging to an individual market-maker for a given class of options contracts, or possibly the quotes of two or more market-makers that have identified themselves as belonging to a group for the purposes of risk monitoring and quote modification. The computer typically generates a trade by matching the received orders and quotes to previously received orders and quotes, and otherwise stores each of the received orders and quotes if a trade is not generated.

Abstract: A computer system for calculating a time deposit volatility index comprising memory configured to store at least one program; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory, in which the at least one program, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to receive data regarding options on time deposit derivatives; calculate, using the data regarding options on time deposit derivatives, the time deposit volatility index; and transmit data regarding the time deposit volatility index.

Abstract: A mobile service rig with an integrated pipe handling assembly is provided. The rig includes an elongate frame, an attached elongate mast, and an attached a pipe handling assembly. The mast base is pivotally attached to the frame for moving the mast between horizontal and vertical orientations. The pipe handling assembly includes a pipe trough and a trough lifting arm pivotally attached to frame and pipe trough to move a pipe between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation collinear with the mast in the vertical orientation. The pipe handling assembly may also include a pair of pipe racks pivotally attached to the frame to extend transversely away from the frame.

Abstract: A rifle or pistol mounted pepper spray device has a slide activation. The device has a housing that attaches to a picatinny rail of a modern sporting rifle. The housing receives a can of pepper spray. The housing and pepper spray slip into a grip. The grip activates the pepper spray when it is pulled toward the user. The device has a lock system as well as a buffer spring to prevent inadvertent spraying of the pepper spray.

Abstract: An adjustable width barricade includes a frameless, flexible, washable, aesthetically attractive, and generally-rectangular barrier that mounts between banisters of a stairwell. The adjustable width barricade does not require drilling into the stairwell banisters and is removeably mountable without damaging either the structural integrity or decorative finish of wooden banisters, balusters, rails, or posts. Multiple strap-like fasteners attach the barrier to stairway banisters or posts, including posts having vertically varying diameters and configurations, that are non-parallel relative to each other, that are non-perpendicular relative to the flooring surface, or that are otherwise asymmetrical. A plurality of rigid, structural support members are inserted into vertical channels in the barrier that maintain the height of the barrier when installed.

Abstract: A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services or events. Electronic options are provided for desired goods or services or events. Electronic option terms and electronic option fees for the plural electronic options are dynamically and periodically adjusted in real-time. This provides optimal electronic option use and optimal electronic term and optimal electronic option fee adjustment for plural different suppliers of good or services or events provided and used with electronic options.

Abstract: A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services or events. Plural electronic options are provided based on a priority ordering scheme. The plurality of electronic options are not supplied or governed via a central government agency and are not supplied or governed via security laws. The plural electronic options includes a plural different electronic option terms for a plural different suppliers and a priority ordering scheme. The electronic option terms for a desired supplier are unique to the desired supplier. The electronic options include personalized electronic reservations and personalized electronic coupons. The purchased electronic option is exercised for preferred or priority access or entry to events or places or goods or services based on the priority ordering scheme.

Abstract: A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services or events. A sub-set of reservations from a set of available reservations used to reserve a spot in a facility or at an event are associated with and selectable with plural electronic options. The plural electronic options are also associated with reservation requests if no actual available reservation are available and automatically converted to electronic options for actual reservation if a reservation later becomes available at the facility or event.