Abstract: The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being inserted between adjacent vertebrae to facilitate the fusion process. The expandable fusion device may include first and second endplates, a translation member configured to expand an anterior side and/or posterior side of the device, a plurality of joists configured to connect the first and second endplates to the translation member, and first and second actuation members disposed internally to the device such that openings on a back side of the device can be used to expand or compress the anterior side, the posterior side, or both and such openings may also be used to introduce graft material into the device.

Abstract: Improved risk categorization is provided for clinical decision support and forecasting future health care spend. A risk index is provided that improves on other risk stratification models by synthesizing electronic medical records and health questionnaires with an individual patient's claim histories. Machine learning algorithms catalogue patients into distinct group clusters, based on risk which may be associated with annual health care spending, thereby enabling administrators to forecast future health care spending on the individual and population level.

Abstract: A distributed energy storage system is either integrated within or collocated with the equipment and systems that use the most electrical power in residential or commercial facilities for the purpose of time shifting the electrical load from peak to off-peak hours. The time shift of the electrical power demand makes renewable energy generation more cost effective and it reduces the electrical power costs for consumers who have higher rates for peak period electrical consumption, or who have demand charges for peak usage.

Abstract: A multi-function support assembly supports, grounds, and shields numerous different types of aircraft systems and simultaneously stabilizes aircraft structures to which the support assembly is mounted. The support assembly includes a support tray and a number of support brackets attached to and spaced along the length of the support tray. The support tray attaches to aircraft floor beams or other aircraft structures to stabilize the structures while providing a mounting location for the support brackets. The support tray also provides electromagnetic and structural shielding for aircraft systems and a ground path for electrical and electronic components in the aircraft. The support brackets are formed of electrically insulative materials and attach to the support tray to support various aircraft systems below the support tray and to electrically isolate the support tray from the aircraft structures and the aircraft systems from the support tray.

Abstract: A locking hub and extensible handle assembly includes a handle having an elongated portion with a stop member at a first end, a grasping portion at an opposed second end, and at least one push button within the handle and proximate the first end. The assembly further includes a hub having a body with a passage extending through the body in a longitudinal direction and slidably receiving the elongated portion of the handle. The assembly also includes an actuator that is movable to permit the push button to be used to lock and unlock the handle relative to the hub.

Abstract: A joint spacer therapeutically maintains separation of bones of a joint. A carriage is slideably retained within the frame and has at least one ramped surface. An actuator screw is threadably engaged with the frame, and rotatably connected to the carriage, to cause the carriage to slideably move within the frame when the actuator screw is rotated. First and second endplates engage the bones of the joint, and each has at least one ramped surface that is mateable with the ramped surface of the carriage, whereby when the carriage is slideably moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates ramped surface slides against the carriage ramped surface to cause the endplates to move along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame, to increase the height of the spacer. Piercing elements are connected to the carriage to pierce bone of the joint when the carriage is moved.

Abstract: A coupling system (10) for coupling together elongate members (6) is described. The coupling system (10) comprises a mounting member (1) having a mounting surface (8). A first locating member (2) is mounted on the mounting member (1) and a second locating member (2) is adapted to be mounted on the mounting member (1), in use. A number of support members (3) are provided and each support member (3) comprises two locating member engagement formations (31, 32), a mounting member engagement surface (27) and a first elongate member support formation (28). The engagement surface (27) of a support member (3) is adapted to be engaged with the mounting surface (8) of the mounting member (1) and one locating member engagement formation (31, 32) is adapted to be engaged with each locating member (2) to mount the support member (3) on the mounting member (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing fermentation products from starch-containing material, wherein an alpha-amylase, a thermostable protease, and optionally a carbohydrate-source generating enzyme and/or pullulanase, are present and/or added during liquefaction. The invention also relates to compositions suitable for use in a process of the invention.

Abstract: The idle screen of a mobile telephone device is used to show updated information of a kind or from a source selected by a user (e.g. financial information, news, traffic etc.). Previously, the idle screen has been used to display the name of the network operator and alerting messages, such as “2 missed calls”. Placing information of interest to the user in the idle screen makes that information instantly accessible without the user having to navigate to the required function (e.g. a micro-browser) and select it.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of updating a stored record associated with a subscriber of a program. The method includes receiving at a server parameters of a challenge sent from an input device, including a reward associated with the challenge stored in memory of the server. Transmitting details of the challenge to a communication device, via a network interface, enables access by a subscriber. A verification signal is received at the server from a verification device verifying completion or part completion of a challenge by said subscriber, for updating the record associated with the subscriber to include the reward. The challenge may be an overall challenge or a sub-challenge of an overall challenge and the reward may be virtual points, a prize, credit, access to exclusive opportunities, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a modular carrying system comprising a day bag, a luggage bag, and a main coupling system. In some embodiments, the main coupling system includes a first portion coupled to the day bag and a second portion coupled to the luggage bag. The main coupling system may be arranged and configured to detachably couple the day bag and the luggage bag together such that the front side of the day bag faces the back side of the luggage bag.

Abstract: Manufacturing of article of footwear include temporarily mating a sole and an upper to determine processes to be performed to the sole and/or the upper before permanently mating. As specific operations are determined based on the particular combination of a sole and an upper, the sole and upper are individually tracked through the subsequent processes to ensure the correct pairing is achieved at the time of permanent mating. The tracking may leverage identifiers in the tooling supporting the upper and in the sole.

Abstract: An antiperspirant aerosol product having good environmental sustainability and comprising an anhydrous antiperspirant aerosol composition comprising an AP active comprising a basic aluminium chloride compound of formula Al2(OH)4.4Cl1.6 to Al2(OH)4.9Cl1.1, water soluble calcium salt and amino acid, and an aerosol dispenser comprising a container body, an aerosol valve, and a valve actuator; characterised in that the product has a Combined Sustainability Index (CSI) of less than 3.0, where: CSI=AlF+VOCF+MCB/N AlF being the weight (in centigrams) of aluminium expelled per spray; VOCF being the weight of VOC (in grams) expelled per spray; MCB being the weight of metal (in grams) in the container body; and N is the number of spray applications possible from the fully charged product, each figure being based on a spray duration of 2 seconds.

Abstract: Improved risk categorization is provided for clinical decision support and forecasting future health care spend. A risk index is provided that improves on other risk stratification models by synthesizing electronic medical records and health questionnaires with an individual patient's claim histories. Machine learning algorithms catalogue patients into distinct group clusters, based on risk which may be associated with annual health care spending, thereby enabling administrators to forecast future health care spending on the individual and population level.

Abstract: Method and system for group calling in an IP-based communication system includes receiving an administrator identifier, receiving one or more invitee identifiers, initiating a first connection from a central location and initiating at least one or more second connections from the central location to join an administrator and at least one invitee. The administrator identifier and one or more invitee identifiers can be a telephone number or other identifiers associated with the communication system. To establish the group call, the administrator identifier and one or more invitee identifiers are received from the administrator. The first connection initiation is to the administrator and the second or more connection initiations are to the at least one invitee. System for making a group call includes a user interface adapted for use by the administrator, a database manager, a database, a load balancer and a group calling pool adapted for SIP-based group call setup.

Abstract: The present invention provides soft, durable and bulky tissue products comprising non-wood fibers and more particularly hesperaloe fiber. The inventors have discovered that high yield hesperaloe pulp fiber, when incorporated in amounts of at least about 5 percent by weight of the tissue product, produces products having a GMT less than about 1000 g/3? and a GM Slope less than about 7.0 kg. At the foregoing tensile strengths and modulus the tissue products of the present invention are also generally soft, such as having a Stiffness Index less than about 10.0, and more preferably less than about 9.0, such as from about 7.0 to about 9.0.