Abstract: An implantable spinal cross connector is provided for connecting one or more spinal fixation devices, and more preferably for connecting two spinal fixation rods that are implanted within a patient's spinal system. In general, an exemplary cross connector in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate body with at least one rod-receiving recess formed therein, and a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the elongate body and that is effective to lock a spinal fixation rod within the rod-receiving recess(es). The present invention also provides an inserter tool to facilitate implanting a spinal implant or device, such as a spinal cross connector.

Abstract: A method of locating subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs includes acquiring seismic data, extracting seismic data attributes from the seismic data, calculating exemplar data group probability density function values using distribution values associated with the seismic attributes and applying Bayesian inversion to determine the likelihood of subsurface hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Disclosed is a terminating connector comprising a terminating connector housing, fastening means that are embodied monolithically with the connector housing and are used for fixing the terminating connector to a socket, and an insulating member which is rotatably mounted in the terminating connector housing and is used for retaining contact elements that can engage with corresponding contact elements in a socket insulating member.

Abstract: A system and method for quantifying MR data acquired during a UTE sequence include a computer programmed to execute an MR scan comprising an application of an RF pulse, an echo time (TE) period, and an application of a data acquisition gradient pulse, wherein the TE period begins after the RF pulse and ends before the data acquisition gradient pulse. MR data of an imaging object are acquired during application of the data acquisition gradient pulse, and a phase image is reconstructed based on the acquired MR data. The computer is also programmed to calculate a first contribution of phase to the phase image during the application of the RF pulse, to calculate a second contribution of phase to the phase image by the application of the data acquisition gradient pulse, and to generate a frequency map based on the phase image and based on the first and second contributions of phase.

Abstract: Billing usage of a cloud computing environment is described. Usage is metered of one or more resources within the cloud computing environment by one or more users. The one or more users may be associated with at least one entity. The metered usage of one or more cloud resources is converted to a revenue-generating value. The revenue-generating value is billed to the at least one entity associated with the one or more users. Revenue is collected from the at least one entity for the metered usage of one or more cloud resources. The collected revenue is shared with a plurality of parties.

Abstract: A cloud computing environment having a plurality of computing nodes is described. The plurality of computing nodes may be organized into a plurality of clusters, each of the plurality of clusters including a cluster controller. A virtual computing environment is created on each of the plurality of computing nodes. Communication with the virtual computing environment is enabled. An authorization to service a launch plan is received from a user. The launch plan includes at least one instance to launch. Bandwidth information is requested from each of the cluster controllers of the plurality of clusters. A score is computed for each of the plurality of clusters that responded to the requested bandwidth information. The launch plan is assigned to a cluster from the plurality of clusters based on the computed scores.

Abstract: Organizing permissions to authorize a subject to perform an action on an object in a cloud computing environment is described. A plurality of permissions associated with a cloud customer is created. A first set of permissions from the plurality of permissions is associated with one or more objects. Each of the first set of permissions describes an action performed on an object. A second set of permissions from the plurality of permissions is associated with one or more users. Each of the second set of permissions describes an action to be performed by one or more users.

Abstract: Organizing data in a cloud computing environment having a plurality of computing nodes is described. An authorization to service a request is received. The request may be from a user for launching an instance. In response to receiving the authorization and based on the request, an image list is determined. The image list includes information corresponding to a plurality of machine images. At least one machine image is identified from the image list associated with a functional requirement of the request. The instance is launched at the at least one computing node. The at least one machine image is updated after the instance has been launched.

Abstract: An authorizing entity is allowed to grant permission to a subject to perform an action on an object in a cloud computing environment. An authorizer is defined as the entity having granting authority to delegate a predetermined permission. A subject is defined as a group to whom the permission is being delegated. An object is defined upon which an action is authorized within the cloud computing environment. The action being authorized in the cloud computing environment is defined. Members of the subject group are authorized to perform the permitted action on the object.

Abstract: A cloud computing environment having a plurality of computing nodes is described. A seed device is connected to a network. From the seed device, a launching of a cloud computing management configuration is initiated. The seed device includes a repository of software. From the seed device, software is installed on one of the plurality of computing nodes to run a cloud computing management system. The software is loaded from one of the plurality of computing nodes onto each of the plurality of nodes. A computing node is selected from the plurality of computing nodes, to designate as a master node. Operations of the cloud computing management system is controlled from the master node.

Abstract: A cloud computing environment having a plurality of computing nodes is described. Upon receiving authorization, a plurality of virtual machines may be communicated to provide at least one virtual network to service to the plurality of virtual machines. Each of the plurality of virtual machines communicates with a virtual network layer at a virtual interface via at least one virtual Ethernet (vEthernet). An IP gateway to a network is provided to the plurality of virtual machines. Communications between the IP gateway and the network are facilitated. Communications between a network control layer and at least one network are routed.

Abstract: Access to resources in a cloud computing environment having a plurality of computing nodes is described. A group of users is defined within the cloud computing environment. A first name is assigned to the group. At least one subgroup of users is defined from within the group. A second name is assigned to the at least one subgroup. The second name follows a hierarchical naming structure of the form/group/subgroup.

Abstract: An action is performed on an object in a cloud computing environment having a plurality of computing nodes. A policy path is determined from at least one permission within a policy of a customer. A first delegation path is determined from within the determined policy path. The first delegation path is directed to at least one object permission for the object upon which the action is to be performed. An authorized user is assigned from a second delegation path from within the determined policy path. The second delegation path is directed to at least one user permission for the action to be performed.

Abstract: Methods and devices that utilize segmental fixation between several adjacent vertebrae, thus allowing each vertebrae to be adjusted independently, are provided. In general, the device includes a spinal anchoring element that is adapted to seat at least one spinal fixation element, and a closure mechanism that is adapted to mate to the spinal anchoring element to lock the at least one spinal fixation element in a fixed position relative to the spinal anchoring element.

Abstract: A local gateway device receives email across the internet from a sender of the email and forwards it across the internet to an email filtering system. The email filtering system analyzes the email to determine whether it is spam, phishing or contains a virus and sends it back to the local gateway device along with the filtered determination. The local gateway device forwards the received email and the filtered determination to a local junk store which handles the email appropriately. For example, if the email has been determined to be spam, phishing or containing a virus, the junk store can quarantine the email and if the email has been determined to be non-spun and/or not phishing and/or not containing a virus, the junk store can forward the email to a local mail server for delivery.

Abstract: Methods and devices for implanting spinal fixation implants and devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method for implanting a spinal fixation system is provided and it includes the steps of positioning a spinal fixation element to extend along a patient's spinal column adjacent to one or more vertebrae, determining an implant site on at least one vertebra, implanting at least one spinal anchor at the implant site on at least one vertebra, and coupling the spinal fixation element to each implant.

Abstract: A method of locating subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs includes acquiring seismic data, extracting seismic data attributes from the seismic data, calculating exemplar data group probability density function values using distribution values associated with the seismic attributes and applying Bayesian inversion to determine the likelihood of subsurface hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that creates situations in which insufficient memory is available to store a file created by a computer game device on an SD memory card, or exactly enough memory is available to store a file or sufficient memory is available to store a file. Depending upon the memory condition that is created, software that is being tested behaves in a particular manner.

Abstract: A multiuse vehicle comprises a frame having longitudinal portions forming a central opening for supporting an engine and end portions extending forward and rearward from said longitudinal portions, each of the end portions having a downwardly extending leg portion with one or more hitches. A suspension system includes the use of pivoting arms that carry trunnion-mounted differentials. An operator's cab is mounted on a forward portion of the frame to provide the operator with increased visibility. The frame behind the operator's cab is configured to receive any of a variety of devices such as a dump bed, a sprayer tank, a salt spreader, or a flat bed.