Abstract: A system and method for ameliorating spinal column anomalies, such as scoliosis, while accommodating growth of juvenile patients, which include pedicle screws and an extendable telescopic spinal rod of non-circular cross section. Each pedicle screw includes spinal rod engagement means of complementary shape to the spinal rod for allowing longitudinal movement of the spinal rod, while resisting axial rotation of the pedicle screw relative to the spinal rod. The spinal rod is thereby allowed to slide longitudinally as attached vertebrae move during growth, while movement in other directions is arrested to preserve a proper orientation of involved vertebrae and to maintain scoliotic correction in three dimensions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing particulate brucite comprising grinding and beneficiating particulate brucite wherein the ground beneficiated particulate brucite has a d90 of less than or equal to about 6.4 ?m as measured by laser light scattering.

Abstract: A system and method for ameliorating spinal column anomalies, such as scoliosis, includes bone screws which are to be implanted in the pedicle region(s) of individual to-be-derotated vertebrae and in vertebrae to which balancing forces must be applied as the spinal column is manipulated en mass to achieve an over-all correction of the condition. A pedicle screw cluster derotation tool simultaneously engages multiple pedicle screws and transmits manipulative forces to multiple vertebrae to effect a whole-spine correction. Pre-contoured spinal rods are engaged post-derotation to secure the correction.

Abstract: The invention features topical formulations comprising an osmotically active agent and/or a vasoconstrictor and/or an astringent agent for the treatment and prevention of eyelid swelling, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: In a communication method, data from a plurality of channels is combined into a composite channel by writing data from the plurality of channels as one-bit symbols to a memory, and reading out the data from memory to form the composite channel. The combining of radio frames from the channels forms a coded composite transport channel for transmitting the data in the downlink. To form the coded composite transport channel, an input process is initiated to write data for each radio frame of a transport channel as one bit symbols to a memory of an interleaver. On an output side of the interleaver, an output process to read out the data stored in the memory is performed to form the coded composite transport channel.

Abstract: In the method of rate-matching, software is used to calculate at least one rate-matching parameter for data, and dedicated hardware is used to perform at least one of a puncturing and repetition process on data based on the calculated rate-matching parameter. In rate de-matching, software is again used to calculate at least one rate de-matching parameter for received data, and dedicated hardware is used to compensate for puncturing and repetition based on the calculated rate de-matching parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for ameliorating spinal column anomalies, such as scoliosis, includes bone screws which are to be implanted in the pedicle region(s) of individual to-be-derotated vertebrae and in vertebrae to which balancing forces must be applied as the spinal column is manipulated en mass to achieve an over-all correction of the condition. A pedicle screw cluster derotation tool simultaneously engages multiple pedicle screws and transmits manipulative forces to multiple vertebrae to effect a whole-spine correction. Pre-contoured spinal rods are engaged post-derotation to secure the correction.

Abstract: A system and method for ameliorating spinal column anomalies, such as scoliosis, includes bone screws which are to be implanted in the pedicle region(s) of individual to-be-derotated vertebrae and in vertebrae to which balancing forces must be applied as the spinal column is manipulated en mass to achieve an over-all correction of the condition. A pedicle screw cluster derotation tool simultaneously engages multiple pedicle screws and transmits manipulative forces to multiple vertebrae to effect a whole-spine correction. Pre-contoured spinal rods are engaged post-derotation to secure the correction.

Abstract: In a communication method, data from a plurality of channels is combined into a composite channel by writing data from the plurality of channels as one-bit symbols to a memory, and reading out the data from memory to form the composite channel. The combining of radio frames from the channels forms a coded composite transport channel for transmitting the data in the downlink. To form the coded composite transport channel, an input process is initiated to write data for each radio frame of a transport channel as one bit symbols to a memory of an interleaver. On an output side of the interleaver, an output process to read out the data stored in the memory is performed to form the coded composite transport channel.

Abstract: Operations relating to objects in a window [301] are automatically included in the window based on the capabilities of the window and based on the resources required to implement the operations. The operations are stored in an operations repository [303]. An operations manager component [302] interfaces the windows [301] and the operations repository [303]. The operations may be operations related to elements of a telecommunications network and may be made available to the end-user by automatically adding buttons to menus in the window that invoke the operations.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for verification of telemarketing sales orders. According to an embodiment of the method, a sales agent asks a customer a set of questions related to a sales order, including questions required by government regulatory agencies and/or specified by an entity from whom an offer originates. The dialog is recorded by the sales agent's computer, call center server, a stand-alone unit, or a verifier server. After the sale has been established, the customer is presented with the option to review the transaction and accept or reject it. The review dialog, the interaction between the customer and the playback of the recorded offer, and the accept/reject decision are each recorded and archived. In certain embodiments of the invention at least the interaction between the customer and the playback of the recorded offer as well as the accept/reject decision are recorded in a verifier server rather than in the sales agent's computer, call center server, or stand-alone unit.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating instructions enabling navigation between an origin and a location identified by an address corresponding to data in an incoming communication, such as a customer name or customer telephone number. The system comprises a conventional caller identification unit that reads information transmitted in conjunction with an incoming customer telephone call. A main processor engine receives this information and searches a database for a match between the information and the customer's address. Once the customer's address is successfully located and retrieved by the main processor engine, the address is communicated to a mapping engine. The mapping or other direction-generating engine searches a database for data associated with the address that may be used by the mapping or other direction-generating engine to generate or directions a map between a predetermined point of origin and the address.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating instructions enabling navigation between an origin and a location identified by an address corresponding to data in an incoming communication, such as a customer name or customer telephone number. The system comprises a conventional caller identification unit that reads information transmitted in conjunction with an incoming customer telephone call. A main processor engine receives this information and searches a database for a match between the information and the customer's address. Once the customer's address is successfully located and retrieved by the main processor engine, the address is communicated to a mapping engine. The mapping or other direction-generating engine searches a database for data associated with the address that may be used by the mapping or other direction-generating engine to generate or directions a map between a predetermined point of origin and the address. Once the map is generated, it can then be displayed on a computer screen and/or printed.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a mixture of hyaluronic acid and liposomes. Preferably, the pharmaceutical compositions further include a pharmaceutically active substance such as cyclosporin A encapsulated in the liposomes. A method for preparing a pharmaceutical composition includes producing liposomes from phospholipids, preferably in the presence of a pharmaceutically active substance (most preferably cyclosporin A) to be encapsulated within the liposomes, and mixing the liposomes with hyaluronic acid. Pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are used, for example, to topically administer pharmaceutical agents effective to treat skin disorders by deposition of that agent in the dermis or sub-dermis while minimizing systemic circulation thereof. These compositions are also administered orally, parenterally and intrarectally.