Abstract: A surgical wire is part of a system that includes a retractor blade defining one or more paths for the surgical wire to follow. The paths can be one or more openings, cannulations, paths, tubes, other structures, or combinations thereof. The surgical wire can be routed through the front, back, and/or middle of the retractor blade and into a vertebral body. The surgical wire can be routed through a shim in communication with the retractor blade and into a vertebral body Systems and methods are used to insert surgical wires into bone. Systems and methods are used for removing surgical wires from bone. Systems include those for gripping and pulling or pushing surgical wires. Systems include those that interact with a retractor (e.g., an arm, body, or blade thereof) to facilitate removal of the surgical wire.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an iliac crest displacement device comprising: an engagement member for engaging an iliac crest of a subject; and a pulley assembly for causing the engagement member to move the iliac crest inferiorly, thereby displacing the iliac crest relative to a rib cage of the subject.

Abstract: The present example of transferring and organizing articles from a shelf into a container, (or “controlled transfer and packing”) also allows a warehouse distribution system to be provided that receives items from a manufacturer or distributor, and boxes or packages the items to produce a shipment to another reseller, or customer, according to a received order in a way that may be efficient than current methods. In particular, the system makes use of a specialized floor plan and equipment that aids in processing the order according to the pricing methods described. The processing also provides an example of transferring and organizing articles from a shelf into a container that controls article tumble when loading the article into a container that tends to increase packing efficiency. Loading of items to be packed into magazines to aid transferring of articles from a shelf into a container is also described.

Abstract: A system and method for converting data generated in an computer engineering design software component to an alternate format usable by a variety of alternate software components is provided. Engineering data from a project having a plurality of objects is provided. Objects are selected from the project for conversion and transportation to one of the alternate software components. The selected objects are converted to an alternate format, transported to the alternate software component and regenerated by the alternate software component in its own environment.

Abstract: Methods for implementing a training facility, e.g., a military or law enforcement training facility, for a geographic location having at least one proposed observer position, e.g., a firing position, and at least one proposed target position are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving design data (for instance, a digital terrain model) indicative of the geographic location, receiving data indicative of the proposed observer position and the proposed target position, applying the data indicative of the proposed observer position and the proposed target position to the design data creating modified design data, and conducting a line-of-sight analysis of the modified design data between the proposed observer position and the proposed target position.

Abstract: A system and method for converting data generated in an computer engineering design software component to an alternate format usable by a variety of alternate software components is provided. Engineering data from a project having a plurality of objects is provided. Objects are selected from the project for conversion and transportation to one of the alternate software components. The selected objects are converted to an alternate format, transported to the alternate software component and regenerated by the alternate software component in its own environment.

Abstract: A system and method for converting data generated in an computer engineering design software component to an alternate format usable by a variety of alternate software components is provided. Engineering data from a project having a plurality of objects is provided. Objects are selected from the project for conversion and transportation to one of the alternate software components. The selected objects are converted to an alternate format, transported to the alternate software component and regenerated by the alternate software component in its own environment.

Abstract: The present example of transferring and organizing articles from a shelf into a container, (or “controlled transfer and packing”) also allows a warehouse distribution system to be provided that receives items from a manufacturer or distributor, and boxes or packages the items to produce a shipment to another reseller, or customer, according to a received order in a way that may be efficient than current methods. In particular, the system makes use of a specialized floor plan and equipment that aids in processing the order according to the pricing methods described. The processing also provides an example of transferring and organizing articles from a shelf into a container that controls article tumble when loading the article into a container that tends to increase packing efficiency. Loading of items to be packed into magazines to aid transferring of articles from a shelf into a container is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distributed navigation system, method and apparatus including a junction sieve generator (106) for generating a junction sieve based on a navigation route request (102), the user's first position (104) and a configuration area (201), the junction sieve including significant crossings (204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 and 220) within the configuration area and having maneuver direction information. The route request (102) and the first user's first position (104) are provided to a central unit (304) by the client (302).

Abstract: A method is provided for improved navigation guidance in a portable navigation device (104) having a first navigation operating mode (302) for requesting (318, 324) and receiving (326, 334) routelet data and navigation route data and operating in accordance with the routelet data (332) and a second operation navigation mode (304) for operating in accordance with the navigation route data (338). The method includes in the first navigation operating mode (302), the steps of transmitting a routelet request (318) comprising location data, speed data and direction data, the location, speed and direction data determined (312, 314 316) in response to a present location, a present speed and a present direction of travel, respectively, of the portable navigation device (104), receiving routelet data (326) and operating in accordance with the received routelet data (332).

Abstract: A system and method for converting data generated in an computer engineering design software component to an alternate format usable by a variety of alternate software components is provided. Engineering data from a project having a plurality of objects is provided. Objects are selected from the project for conversion and transportation to one of the alternate software components. The selected objects are converted to an alternate format, transported to the alternate software component and regenerated by the alternate software component in its own environment.

Abstract: A system and method for converting data generated in an computer engineering design software component to an alternate format usable by a variety of alternate software components is provided. Engineering data from a project having a plurality of objects is provided. Objects are selected from the project for conversion and transportation to one of the alternate software components. The selected objects are converted to an alternate format, transported to the alternate software component and regenerated by the alternate software component in its own environment.

Abstract: Methods for implementing a training facility, e.g., a military or law enforcement training facility, for a geographic location having at least one proposed observer position, e.g., a firing position, and at least one proposed target position are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving design data (for instance, a digital terrain model) indicative of the geographic location, receiving data indicative of the proposed observer position and the proposed target position, applying the data indicative of the proposed observer position and the proposed target position to the design data creating modified design data, and conducting a line-of-sight analysis of the modified design data between the proposed observer position and the proposed target position.

Abstract: The present invention provides slow release estradiol-progesterone formulations that can be used in either contraception or hormone replacement therapies. The formulations comprise shaped particles of estradiol that is in a hemicrystalline form that exhibits especially low dissolution rates. The shaped particles comprise estradiol compounded in a 1:1 molar ratio with cholesterol, and are administered in combination with progesterone. The slow release formulations of the present invention afford the dual advantages of a low dose estradiol formulation with a low frequency administration regimen. The formulations can be parenterally administered once a month or less often.

Abstract: A system and method for converting data generated in an computer engineering design software component to an alternate format usable by a variety of alternate software components is provided. Engineering data from a project having a plurality of objects is provided. Objects are selected from the project for conversion and transportation to one of the alternate software components. The selected objects are converted to an alternate format, transported to the alternate software component and regenerated by the alternate software component in its own environment.

Abstract: A lubricant composition is disclosed which is environmentally acceptable when used with hot forging of aluminum workpieces. Said lubricant comprises a metal soap composition containing no lead plus amounts of polybutene, graphite, thickening agent, mineral oil and, optionally, aliphatic solvent.