Abstract: An implant that has a predefined ratio of load bearing surface area to the overall size of the implant body and specifically to the surface area of a centrally located opening of a vertical aperture which connects to a center void area or passage defined by the implant body shape. This invention discloses a critical ratio or balance between loading of contained graft material through the hollow center or central passage of the implant and the implant's frictional load bearing or contact area with e.g., adjacent vertebral bones. Application of this invention to a spinal implant provides an improved integration and integration rate of the graft material or the fusion of the adjacent vertebral bone structures. The ratio between implant load bearing surface area and implant central opening area maximizes implant internal volume and allows a large passage disposed medial laterally to allow for radiographic verification of fusion growth.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for enabling location-based policy in a mobile communication network are disclosed. According to one method, a first Diameter signaling message is received at a Diameter agent. Subscriber identification information and roaming information are extracted from the first Diameter message and the extracted information is communicated to a policy control function.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method implemented by a processor for imaging a formation penetrated by a borehole. The method includes: obtaining acoustic data in a depth-time domain using an acoustic downhole tool disposed at a depth in the borehole, the acoustic downhole tool having an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver; transforming the acoustic data in the depth-time domain into a Radon domain using a Radon transform; filtering the acoustic data in the Radon domain to increase a signal of interest in the acoustic data in the Radon domain; determining a location of a point in the formation that reflected acoustic energy emitted from the acoustic source to the acoustic receiver, the location of the point being represented in the Radon domain; and inverting the location of the point represented in the Radon domain into a radius-depth domain to image the formation.

Abstract: An optical fiber feedthrough assembly includes a glass plug disposed in a recess of a feedthrough housing. The glass plug may define a large-diameter, cane-based, waveguide sealed within the recess in the housing and providing optical communication through the housing. Sealing occurs with respect to the housing at or around the glass plug of an optical waveguide element passing through the housing by braze sealing to the glass plug and/or embedding the glass plug in a polymer bonded with the plug to form a molded body that is sealed in the housing by, for example, compression mounting of the molded body or providing a sealing element around the molded body.

Abstract: A dumpster includes a plastic body with first and second plastic lids that are pivotally attached to the body. A divider is secured to the body to separate a dumpster interior into first and second compartments. The first lid covers the first compartment and the second lid covers the second compartment. The dumpster includes a locking assembly that allows one lid to be locked while the other lid remains unlocked, and which also allows both lids to be locked at the same time. Each lid includes a support frame to provide reinforcement during an emptying process when one lid is locked.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to apparatuses and methods measuring and processing a characteristic of subsurface earth formations penetrated by a borehole. More specifically this present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for measuring and processing an acoustic characteristic such as formation shear wave velocity of subsurface sonic waves after these waves traverse earth formations adjoining a borehole or passing through a portion of the subsurface. The apparatus may include: a bottomhole assembly, a drill bit configured to generate an acoustic signal, at least two acoustic detectors, and a processor. The acoustic signal may include a specific multipole signal that may propagate through an earth formation along the borehole. The method may include use of the apparatus, including steps for estimating a shear velocity of the acoustic signal using signals from the at least two acoustic detectors.

Abstract: A cleaning station for removing particulate material from a moving web in an electrographic printer/copier includes a customer-replaceable web-cleaner device with a support bracket/backup shoe assembly. The web-cleaner has two wiper blades, including one or more blades, each having a distinguishment such that the distinguishment distinguishes one wiper blade from the other wiper blade when the blades are locked into the cleaner sump by springs, to facilitate material removed from the web. The wiper cleaning blades are held using a shoe that comprises a “T-shaped” extrusion wherein the extrusion has a rigidity to reduce shoe deformations.

Abstract: An optical fiber feedthrough assembly includes a glass plug disposed in a recess of a feedthrough housing. The glass plug may define a large-diameter, cane-based, waveguide sealed within the recess in the housing and providing optical communication through the housing. Sealing occurs with respect to the housing at or around the glass plug of an optical waveguide element passing through the housing by braze sealing to the glass plug and/or embedding the glass plug in a polymer bonded with the plug to form a molded body that is sealed in the housing by, for example, compression mounting of the molded body or providing a sealing element around the molded body.

Abstract: Evaluating casing thickness by inducing SH0 and SH1 modes of a shear wave in the casing. The SH0 group velocity and SH1 mode group velocity (Vg) are measured and the measured SH0 mode group velocity is assigned as the tubular material shear velocity (Vs). A shear wave wavelength ? from the ratio of SH0 mode frequency (fo) and the measured SH0 group velocity is estimated. The tubular thickness (d) is estimated from the estimated shear wave wavelength ?. The transmitter can be calibrated to operate at an optimum frequency.

Abstract: An interbody spinal implant including a body, the body comprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; opposing lateral sides; and opposing anterior and posterior portions; the top surface, bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, internal wall surface, and opposing anterior and posterior portions defining a substantially hollow center having a single vertical aperture defining an internal wall surface, the single vertical aperture (a) extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, (b) having a size and shape predetermined to maximize the surface area of the top surface and the bottom surface available proximate the anterior and posterior portions while maximizing both radiographic visualization and access to the substantially hollow center, and (c) defining a transverse rim, wherein at least a portion of the internal wall surface has a roughened surface topography.

Abstract: An air-ride beam-type axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle with a gross axle weight rating of greater than 23,000 lbs./axle includes a pair of transversely spaced beams. Each one of the beams includes inboard and outboard sidewalls. A large diameter axle extends between and is rigidly connected to the beams via a pair of axle-to-beam connections. Each one of the axle-to-beam connections includes a sleeve having an increased thickness rigidly connected to the axle and the beam. Each sleeve is formed with at least a front and a rear window located between the beam sidewalls. The inboard and/or outboard edges of the sleeve windows are spaced relatively far from the beam sidewalls. The sleeve windows are asymmetrically angled with respect to the horizontal centerline of the axle at design ride height. The axle/suspension system reduces weight while maintaining desired stiffness and durability of the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: Cross-dipole measurements are obtained in a borehole. By estimating a direction of polarization of the fast shear mode at low and high frequencies and comparing the estimated distances, a cause of anisotropy is established. Formation stresses and directions may be estimated.

Abstract: A media game that employs a method for randomly shuffling through a large set of video and/or audio clips stored on readable media using a media player, such as a DVD player, is disclosed. In addition to the readable media, the game also includes a game board, moveable play pieces, trivia question cards, random name cards, a numbered die, and a challenge die. The game board can be converted from long play to short play by lifting the endmost sections of the game board and placing them next to each other on top of intermediate sections of the game board. A path circumnavigates the game board and appears to be continuous in both long and short play modes. The begin and end regions reside at least partially on the endmost sections and appear as unbroken shapes when configured for both long and short play.

Abstract: Stoneley-wave data acquired in the LWD environment are used to characterize/estimate formation permeability. Real-time Stoneley-wave time-delay/slowness and center-frequency/attenuation data are used to indicate/characterize formation permeability even during drilling. The use of stabilizers mounted at the tool ends helps maintain the tool position from severe decentralization, reducing ambiguities in the permeability characterization/estimation.

Abstract: A drilling system makes measurements of at least one drilling parameter such as downhole weight on bit, bit torque, bit revolutions, rate of penetration and bit axial acceleration, and at least one measurement responsive to formation properties. One or more processors use the measurements of drilling parameters and formation properties to adjust drilling parameters.

Abstract: A spacer is provided for attachment to a pair of intersecting reinforcement wires to space them from a form. The spacer has a base member having two opposite sides, one of the sides having two intersecting grooves for receiving therein a pair of intersecting reinforcement wires, and the other of the sides having a projection that projects outwardly therefrom a preselected distance to space the intersecting reinforcement wires a specified distance from a form. A cover member covers the one side of the base member. The cover member has fastening portions that coact with complementary fastening portions on the base member to fasten the cover member to the base member with the intersecting reinforcement wires sandwiched therebetween to thereby attach the spacer to the intersecting reinforcement wires.

Abstract: A media game that employs a method for randomly shuffling through a large set of video and/or audio clips stored on readable media using a media player, such as a DVD player, is disclosed. In addition to the readable media, the game also includes a game board, moveable play pieces, trivia question cards, random name cards, a numbered die, and a challenge die. The game board can be converted from long play to short play by lifting the endmost sections of the game board and placing them next to each other on top of intermediate sections of the game board. A path circumnavigates the game board and appears to be continuous in both long and short play modes. The begin and end regions reside at least partially on the endmost sections and appear as unbroken shapes when configured for both long and short play.

Abstract: Passive suppression of casing signals is used to improve the ability to measure formation velocities. Passive suppression includes the use of a magnet slidably coupled to the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for autonomously maintaining a single system image in a parallel systems complex. A computer program product causes the relevant systems in a parallel systems complex to receive requests with a global scope from a user. The request is sent to each IMS system in the sysplex, and each IMS system applies the resource information and logs the resource information for recovery. The request is written to a shared medium which IMS sysplex members can access. When an IMS member is brought online, the IMS member restores status information first from local recovery logs. The IMS member then checks the information against the global medium to determine if requests were issued while the IMS was offline. If so, the IMS inherits the information in the global medium before processing work. An IMS added into the sysplex applies the information from the global medium before processing work.

Abstract: A media game that employs a method for randomly shuffling through a large set of video and/or audio clips stored on readable media using a media player, such as a DVD player, is disclosed. In addition to the readable media, the game also includes a game board, moveable play pieces, trivia question cards, random name cards, a numbered die, and a challenge die. The game board can be converted from long play to short play by lifting the endmost sections of the game board and placing them next to each other on top of intermediate sections of the game board. A path circumnavigates the game board and appears to be continuous in both long and short play modes. The begin and end regions reside at least partially on the endmost sections and appear as unbroken shapes when configured for both long and short play.