Abstract: A spinal rod having first and second end members. The end members may be flexible or rigid. An expandable intermediate section is positioned between the first and second end members. The intermediate section may be axially expandable upon the introduction of a substance into a port that may be located in either of the first and second end members or the intermediate section. The intermediate section may be expandable between a first size, where the first and second end members are spaced a first distance apart, and a second enlarged size, where the first and second end members are spaced a second greater distance apart.

Abstract: A method may include, but is not limited to, receiving a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization in comparison to electricity utilization for a vehicle and forwarding to an off-site entity the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization in comparison to electricity utilization for the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (2) for reducing weight in an individual, the device (2) comprising: a generator (42, 43) adapted to produce an electrical signal; at least a first set of electrodes (6) comprising two electrodes (10, 12) able to be connected to the generator (42, 43) and being intended to be fixed to a first vagus nerve (18) of the individual at a predefined distance one from another to apply the electrical signal to a portion (19) of the first vagus nerve (18) located between the electrodes (10, 12); characterized in that it comprises a short-circuiting switch (52) being adapted to short-circuit the electrodes (10, 12).

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine with a first group of cylinders having selectively deactivatable cylinders valves and a variable camshaft timing actuator coupled in a hydraulic system is described. In one example, the method includes during a first mode where the first group of cylinders is activated to carry out combustion cycles, adjusting the hydraulic system with a first gain based on cam timing feedback information and/or maintaining a null position of the actuator by adjusting a control signal to the hydraulic system to within a first value range. During a second mode where the first group of cylinders is deactivated, the method includes adjusting the hydraulic system with a second gain based on cam timing feedback information, the second gain higher than the first gain and/or maintaining the null position of the actuator by adjusting the control signal to the hydraulic system to within a second value range.

Abstract: A device may include a determination module for determining at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for propelling a hybrid vehicle; and a transmitter coupled with the determination module for transmitting the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the hybrid vehicle to an off-site entity.

Abstract: A dynamic sealing assembly for a rotating shaft to seal an forward portion of the shaft from an aft portion of the shaft, comprises: a stationary member that has an aperture with a spiral grooved aperture surface that passes through it to receive the shaft; and generally linear shaft surface undulations between the forward and aft portions of the shaft that are at least partially within the sealing member aperture; wherein rotation of the shaft causes the undulations to propagate fluid from between the rotating shaft and the aperture into the grooved aperture surface back toward the forward portion of the shaft.

Abstract: An upper endcap of a fuel filter cartridge includes a skirt, an axially extending pin surrounded by the skirt, and a plurality of ribs that define fluid flow channels leading to the pin. The pin is extendable through an axially facing fuel inlet opening at the upper end of a standpipe for actuating a valve to an open position allowing fuel to flow through the axially facing inlet opening and into the standpipe. The valve can include a hole that receives the pin therein to help stabilize the valve when the valve is actuated open.

Abstract: A tubular element (9) tubular element (9) provides an inner space forming a passage for conducting milk, with a first material portion (9a) which constitutes the main part of the tubular element (9) and an additional material portion (9b) which includes a vent passage (9b) adapted to supply air to the inner space of the tubular element (9). The first material portion (9a) and the additional material portion (9b) are fixedly connected to each other in a contact area (9d) such that the material portions (9a, b) form an integrated unit. A method of manufacturing the tubular element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having optimized permselective membranes and methods for making and using such sensors. Embodiments of the invention also provide analyte sensors such as those having porous matrices coated with an analyte sensing composition and methods for making and using such sensors. Illustrative embodiments include electrochemical glucose sensors having glucose oxidase coatings.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems permit selectively etching metal oxide from reactor metal parts (e.g., titanium and/or titanium alloys). The etching composition comprises an alkali metal hydroxide and gallic acid. The method is useful for cleaning reaction chambers used in the deposition of metal oxide films such as aluminum oxide.

Abstract: An orally deliverable pharmaceutical composition comprises a drug-carrier system having a Bcl-2 family protein inhibitory compound, e.g., ABT-263, in solution in a substantially non-aqueous carrier that comprises at least one phospholipid and a pharmaceutically acceptable solubilizing agent. The composition is suitable for oral administration to a subject in need thereof for treatment of a disease characterized by overexpression of one or more anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, for example cancer.

Abstract: A method may include, but is not limited to, receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle and forwarding to an off-site entity the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle.

Abstract: Tools are described for preparing digital dental models for use in dental restoration production processes, along with associated systems and methods. Dental modeling is improved by supplementing views of three-dimensional models with still images of the modeled subject matter. Video data acquired during a scan of the model provides a source of still images that can be displayed alongside a rendered three-dimensional model, and the two views (model and still image) may be synchronized to provide a common perspective of the model's subject matter. This approach provides useful visual information for disambiguating surface features of the model during processing steps such as marking a margin of a prepared tooth surface for a restoration. Interactive modeling tools may be similarly enhanced.

Abstract: A contraband detection system includes a first contraband detection apparatus designed to perform a first scan on an object and a second contraband detection apparatus positioned in-line with the first contraband detection apparatus to perform a second scan on the object. A computer is included in the contraband detection system and is programmed to cause the first contraband detection apparatus to perform the first scan and acquire object data therefrom. The computer is further programmed to identify one or more regions of interest (ROI) in the object based on the object data, cause the second contraband detection apparatus to perform the second scan on the one or more identified ROIs, and acquire object data from the second scan.

Abstract: Embodiments of club heads with contoured back faces and methods of manufacturing the same are described herein.

Abstract: A method may include receiving at least one of a status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or a status indicative of electricity utilization for a hybrid vehicle; and allocating a standing based upon the at least one of the status indicative of combustible fuel utilization or the status indicative of electricity utilization for the vehicle, wherein the standing is allocated upon receipt of the status.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the transdermal delivery of substances and, in some embodiments, to the transdermal delivery of beneficial substances by a hostile biophysical environment. In one aspect, various methods for the transdermal delivery of beneficial substances are disclosed. By creating a hostile biophysical environment, beneficial substances may be delivered, according to certain embodiments, through the stratum corneum of the skin into the body. Beneficial substances include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutical agents, drugs, vitamins, co-factors, peptides, dietary supplements, and others. The beneficial effects disclosed include, for instance, relief of pain and inflammation, prevention and healing of ulcers of the skin, relief of headache, improved sexual function and enjoyment, growth of hair on the scalp, improving muscle size and/or function, removing body fat and/or cellulite, treating cancer, treating viral infections and others.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatuses for use in launching an inhibiting powder. These embodiments comprise a source of impulse pressure that induces a propellant pressure, a barrel cooperated with the source of impulse pressure to receive the propellant pressure, inhibiting powder positioned within an interior of the barrel, a burst diaphragm secured between the source of the impulse pressure and the inhibiting powder, and an actuator that activates the source of impulse pressure to deliver an expanding gas producing an increasing pressure that is applied to the burst diaphragm where the burst diaphragm bursts when the applied pressure exceeding a burst threshold, resulting in a release of the propellant pressure into the barrel to drive the inhibiting powder from the barrel in substantially an aerosol form generating a cloud of inhibiting powder.

Abstract: An orally deliverable pharmaceutical composition comprises (a) a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt of ABT-263 in solid particulate form, and (b) a plurality of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients including at least a solid diluent and a solid disintegrant; wherein the salt is formed from more than one equivalent of acid per equivalent of ABT-263. The composition is suitable for oral administration to a subject in need thereof for treatment of a disease characterized by overexpression of one or more anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, for example cancer.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing video file content is provided. When a user encounters a web page with video content, the user can select to view the video content and wait for the server to transcode the video file and to stream the transcoded video file to the user's client device. Alternatively, the user may request that the server transcode the video file and to send the transcoded video file to the user's device, where the transcoded video file will be stored. While waiting for the video to be transcoded, the user may browse other websites, for example. In addition, a user may a request may request that the server transcode the video file and to stream the transcoded video file to the user's device in real-time.