Abstract: An artificial spinal disk prosthesis comprised of an artificial disk (101), mounting bracket (105) assembly that secures the disk to at least one vertebrae and a sliding rod (104) that connects the two whereby the shape of the components determines the range of motion of the disk, thus allowing desirable motions of the disk consistent with normal body motions and preventing undesirable motions of the artificial disk. In the preferred embodiment, the angular motion of the disk is controlled by a hinge that is on the side of the artificial disk. In the preferred embodiment, the artificial disc is connected to the spine via one vertebra.

Abstract: Methods and systems for executing nested concurrent threads of a transaction are presented. In one embodiment, in response to executing a parent transaction, a first group of one or more concurrent threads including a first thread is created. The first thread is associated with a transactional descriptor comprising a pointer to the parent transaction.

Abstract: An artificial spinal disk prosthesis comprised of an artificial disk (101), mounting bracket (105) assembly that secures the disk to at least one vertebrae and a sliding rod (104) that connects the two whereby the shape of the components determines the range of motion of the disk, thus allowing desirable motions of the disk consistent with normal body motions and preventing undesirable motions of the artificial disk. In the preferred embodiment, the angular motion of the disk is controlled by a hinge that is on the side of the artificial disk. In the preferred embodiment, the artificial disc is connected to the spine via one vertebra.

Abstract: A hierarchical software profiling mechanism that gathers hierarchical path profile information has been described. Software to be profiled is instrumented with instructions that save an outer path sum when an inner region is entered, and restore the outer path sum when the inner region is exited. When the inner region is being executed, an inner path sum is generated and a profile indicator representing the inner path traversed is updated prior to the outer path sum being restored. The software to be profiled is instrumented using information from augmented control flow graphs that represent the software.

Abstract: A fluidblock/waterblock assembly for an undersea optical fiber cable includes a socket with a cavity. A rubber plug, shaped to fit into the cavity, is pierced with one or more holes for inserting an optical fiber or fibers. The rubber plug holding the fibers in the cavity is preloaded with an internal compressive stress which assures no leakage of fluid around or through the rubber plug throughout a range of external pressures ranging from zero to ocean bottom pressure and applied to the rubber plug.

Abstract: A cable termination arrangement includes a tapered socket body and a mating plug covered with a sleeve of malleable material. Cable strands are inserted and spread out inside of the socket. The plug and sleeve are pushed into the socket for forcing the strands into the sleeve. When a tensile force is applied to the cable, slippage between the cable and the socket is zero.