Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing an internal closure from a container are described. The method and apparatus include inserting an extracting mechanism into an internal closure located in an opening of a container, the extraction mechanism attached to a handle, the handle being positioned above the opening. The method and apparatus further include applying a first force to the handle in a direction towards the container, the first force being sufficient for the extraction mechanism to break the internal closure-container bond by advancing the internal closure into the container. The method and apparatus further include applying a second force to the handle in a direction opposite the first force, the second force allowing the extraction mechanism to extract the internal closure from the container.

Abstract: A transverse connector for interconnecting first and second spine rods. The connector has a first connecting member connectable with the first spine rod, a second connecting member connectable with the second spine rod and fixed a set distance from the first connecting member, and a coupler integrally attached to only one of the first and second connecting members, and configured to angularly couple the first and second connecting members together such that an angle of deployment between the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod is adjustable. The connector has a fastener of the coupler which is configured to fix the angle of deployment in any one of a plurality of angular positions.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing and dispensing system and method for mixing and delivering bone cement therefrom. The system has a mixing container for holding a bone cement mixture, the mixing container extending along an axial length and having opposed first and second ends, the first end comprising a downstream opening for dispensing the bone cement downstream from the mixing container; a mixing element movably disposed within the mixing container; and a plunger comprising a piston movably disposed within the mixing container. In this system, with a first coupling, the mixing element moves by assistance of a motor along the axial length of the mixing container without translation of the plunger to mix the bone cement. In this system, with a second coupling, the mixing element and plunger are driven together along the axial length of the mixing container.

Abstract: A method includes accessing historic five-minute electricity data for a predetermined number of previous days, determining, using the historic five-minute electricity data for the predetermined number of previous days, a maximum charge price for the predetermined number of previous days, and determining, using the historic five-minute electricity data for the predetermined number of previous days, a minimum discharge price for the predetermined number of previous days. The method further includes determining a current amount of charge of a battery, accessing live five-minute electricity data for a current day, and communicating one or more instructions to discharge a battery when a next live five-minute electricity price is greater than the determined minimum discharge price and the current amount of charge of the battery is greater than zero.

Abstract: A plate and cage assembly for stabilization of vertebral bodies. The assembly includes at least one fixation member, a cage having a proximal wall, a superior surface and an inferior surface (the superior surface and the inferior surface for engaging adjacent vertebrae), and a plate coupled to the cage and having at least one hole traversing the plate at an angle for insertion of the at least one fixation member into one of the vertebral bodies. The proximal wall of the cage has a blind hole, and the plate has a threaded screw hole aligned with the blind hole in the proximal wall of the cage.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an example method may include capturing target data from a target flow of network packets, generating a target image from the target data, and determining, based on the target image, an extent to which the target image matches one of a plurality of predetermined images. In some embodiments, the method may include determining, based on the extent to which the target image matches one of the plurality of predetermined images, a likelihood an application associated with the target flow of network packets matches a predetermined malicious application.

Abstract: A method includes accessing historic five-minute electricity data for a predetermined number of previous days, determining, using the historic five-minute electricity data for the predetermined number of previous days, a maximum charge price for the predetermined number of previous days, and determining, using the historic five-minute electricity data for the predetermined number of previous days, a minimum discharge price for the predetermined number of previous days. The method further includes determining a current amount of charge of a battery, accessing live five-minute electricity data for a current day, and communicating one or more instructions to discharge a battery when a next live five-minute electricity price is greater than the determined minimum discharge price and the current amount of charge of the battery is greater than zero.

Abstract: A bone cement mixing and dispensing system and method for mixing and delivering bone cement therefrom. The system has a mixing container for holding a bone cement mixture, the mixing container extending along an axial length and having opposed first and second ends, the first end comprising a downstream opening for dispensing the bone cement downstream from the mixing container; a mixing element movably disposed within the mixing container; and a plunger comprising a piston movably disposed within the mixing container. In this system. with a first coupling, the mixing element moves by assistance of a motor along the axial length of the mixing container without translation of the plunger to mix the bone cement. In this system. with a second coupling, the mixing element and plunger are driven together along the axial length of the mixing container.

Abstract: A plate and cage assembly for stabilization of vertebral bodies. The assembly includes at least one fixation member, a cage having a proximal wall, a superior surface and an inferior surface (the superior surface and the inferior surface for engaging adjacent vertebrae), and a plate coupled to the cage and having at least one hole traversing the plate at an angle for insertion of the at least one fixation member into one of the vertebral bodies. The proximal wall of the cage has a blind hole, and the plate has a threaded screw hole aligned with the blind hole in the proximal wall of the cage.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for online distribution of content based on a user sentiment index. The method may include receiving, over a network and from a user device, one or more user generated inputs and calculating the user sentiment index based on the one or more user generated inputs. The method may also include receiving, over the network, from a content or advertising provider, instructions on publishing content or advertising to a webpage based on the calculated user sentiment index, and publishing content for display on user devices over the network based on a comparison of the calculated user sentiment index and the received instructions.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an example method may include capturing target data from a target flow of network packets between applications, generating a target image from the target data, and determining, based on the target image, an extent to which the target image matches one of a plurality of predetermined images in order to determine a likelihood that one or more of the applications matches one of a plurality of predetermined applications (e.g., applications that are predetermined to be malicious).

Abstract: An entity data store contains electronic records associated with entities (e.g., businesses). For each entity, electronic records include an entity identifier, entity operational data, and parameters associated with that entity (e.g., business name, address, etc.). A resolution rule library contains electronic records associated with resolution rules, including a rule identifier and rule logic. An ingestion engine of a computer server receives big data input and accesses the resolution rule library. Based on resolution rule logic and the received big data input, the computer server automatically resolves that two electronic records with different entity identifiers are associated with a single entity. The computer server can then update the entity data store to reflect information for a resolved single entity identifier and automatically execute an enterprise workflow for a risk relationship between the enterprise and the entity represented by the resolved single entity identifier.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes processing circuitry configured to store a predetermined mapping of separate pieces of bit information and data symbols in a first format, each piece of bit information defining a bit and including (i) at least a color that is based one or more of at least two different colors or (ii) at least one of a plurality of magnetic states; and receive data symbols in the first format and output bits based on the stored predetermined mapping.

Abstract: A surgical implant and a surgical kit. The surgical implant has a body having at least one interior surface, the body forming a peripheral support for the implant. The surgical implant has a porous insert comprised of a porous material, having at least one axially-extending hole, and attached to the body along the at least one interior surface such that the porous material extends across a height of the body. The porous insert has a locking mechanism formed in the porous insert or extending from the porous insert, the locking mechanism minimizing movement of the porous insert from within the body. The surgical kit includes the surgical implant and an intervertebral insertion device.

Abstract: A system includes an energy storage device geographically proximate a plurality of load centers. The energy storage device is coupled to one or more of the plurality of load centers for supplying energy to the load centers and is also coupled to an energy generation source for receiving energy from the energy generation source. The system also includes a control system that is operable to receive energy market data, monitor the plurality of load centers, the energy storage device, and the energy generation source, and control the charging and dispatching of the energy storage device based on the monitoring and the energy market data.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to implementing electromechanical drive systems and auxiliary braking systems on freight cars and other railway vehicles. Such motive systems can include electric motors and power sources that can be installed on new or existing non-locomotive railway vehicles to supplement and/or replace energy typically generated by one or more locomotives in the trainset. Some motive systems further include regenerative braking systems that can supplement existing braking systems and enable energy to be captured and stored locally at batteries onboard the railway vehicle for subsequent use by the drivetrain. A computing system may use sensor data from onboard sensors, route data, weather data, and/or other sources of information to determine and execute control strategies that leverage the drive system and auxiliary braking in ways that reduces the power required by locomotives and/or the stress impacting couplers between railway vehicles within the train.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a consumer product comprising a laminate packaging comprising an outer oriented multilayer film comprising a polyolefin-based polymer; an inner multilayer film comprising a polyolefin-based polymer; and a composition comprising 0.2% to 1.2% by weight of a perfume; wherein the outer and the inner layers are made of the same polyolefin-based polymer, which is ethylene based polymer or propylene based polymer; and wherein the composition is packaged inside the laminate packaging.

Abstract: A cluster of network flows is formed on the basis of a particular entity-to-entity relationship, and individual network flows within the cluster are further identified on an application-by-application basis to better characterize communications between two compute instances connected through a data network. By individually scoring network flows for each application with a variety of tools, and aggregating these individual scores into a composite score for the cluster of network flows, more accurate threat detections can be supported based on an increase in relevant threat data and a more complete view of risk factors.

Abstract: A modular screw assembly for use in stabilizing a spinal column. The assembly has a fastener which couples to a screw head of a bone anchor, a screw head coupler, a retaining ring, and a friction ring. The fastener houses the screw head coupler, the retaining ring, and the friction ring. Translation of the fastener by the screw head results in the retaining ring elastically deforming and then snapping around the screw head.