Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation comprising (a) providing a hydrocarbon recovery composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the composition comprises one or more internal olefin sulfonates having 17 or more carbon atoms, (b) adding water and/or brine from the hydrocarbon formation to the composition, (c) adding a solubilizer which comprises an ethoxylated alcohol wherein the alcohol before ethoxylation had an average molecular weight of at least about 220 and (d) allowing the composition to interact with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation. The solubilizer may comprise less than about 0.1 wt %, preferably from about 0.02 to about 0.05 wt %, of the total composition and it may have from about 5 to about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

Abstract: A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The method includes (a) providing a hydrocarbon recovery composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein (i) when the salinity of the brine is from about 2 wt % to about 4 wt %, the composition comprises a blend of a C20-24 internal olefin sulfonate and a C24-28 internal olefin sulfonate wherein the weight ratio of the C20-24 internal olefin sulfonate to the C24-28 internal olefin sulfonate is from about 90:10 to about 70:30 and (ii) when the salinity of the brine is greater than about 4 wt % up to about 13 wt % the composition comprises a blend of a C20-24 internal olefin sulfonate and a C15-18 internal olefin sulfonate wherein the weight ratio of the C20-24 internal olefin sulfonate to the C15-18 internal olefin sulfonate is from about 90:10 to about 70:30; and (b) allowing the composition to interact with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A heater is controlled by the control system to increase energy efficiency of the refrigerator.

Abstract: Embodiments deliver an operating system and software applications to a personal computer. The operating system and software applications may be managed and configured at a central location prior to delivery. Data that is created or modified on the personal computer may, from time to time, be stored at the central location. When a user switches from one personal computer to another, any and all of the data may be transferred from the central location to the user's current computer. Additionally, the user's current computer may receive suitable versions of the operating system and applications from the central location. In any case, the operating system and software applications may run with a domain of execution that is provided by a hypervisor. Thus, the operating system and software applications may operate within a virtualized machine, perhaps alongside and in isolation from other operating systems and software applications.

Abstract: A process by which alkyl halides may be reacted (coupled) with nucleophilic materials in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst system. The process comprises reacting (coupling) alkyl halides with a nucleophilic material in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst system to produce derivatives of alkyl halides, wherein the homogeneous catalyst system comprises at least one metal or metal compound which has the ability to form metal-halogen bonds.

Abstract: A method of reducing heat produced by an internal combustion engine in a motorcycle. The method includes supplying fuel pulses to a combustion chamber at least once per engine cycle (consecutive engine cycles defining a series of consecutive fuel pulses), operating the motorcycle at a low speed condition, and withholding at least a portion of at least one fuel pulse from at least one subsequent engine cycle to the combustion chamber when operating the motorcycle at the low speed condition.

Abstract: A process for making primary haloalkanes by catalytic distillation of internal haloalkanes which comprises a) introducing an internal haloalkane feed into a catalytic distillation column; b) isomerizing at least a portion of the internal haloalkane feed in the presence of an internal haloalkane isomerization catalyst at a temperature at or above the boiling point of the internal haloalkanes and below the temperature and pressure at which hydrogen halide is formed to form primary haloalkanes; and removing the primary haloalkanes from the catalytic distillation column.

Abstract: A prosthetic system for implantation between upper and lower vertebrae comprises an upper joint component. The upper joint component comprises an upper contact surface and an upper articulation surface. The system further includes a lower joint component. The lower joint component comprises a lower contact surface and a lower articulation surface configured to movably engage the upper articulation surface to form an articulating joint. The articulating joint is adapted for implantation within a disc space between the upper and lower vertebrae, allowing the upper and lower vertebrae to move relative to one another. The system further includes a bridge component extending posteriorly from one of either the upper or lower joint components and from the disc space. The bridge component has a distal end opposite the one of the either upper or lower joint components. The distal end of the bridge component comprises a connection component adapted to receive a fastener.

Abstract: An abstract component model can be used to drive an editor by providing an underlying stateful model for component implementation without the need to re-implement details, such as event listening, lifecycle and update management, etc. An implementation needs to provide objects that make up the model, some logic to listen to environmental changes and recognize when an update is needed, and a builder which can generate a lightweight version of the model based on the current “state of the world.” In addition, abstract component model is operable to support an editor such as page flow.

Abstract: Devices and methods for spinal stabilization include first and second anchors engageable to respective ones of first and second vertebrae and a connector assembly engageable with the anchors to provide a desired stabilization effect. The connector assembly includes a pair of bumper assemblies extending between the bone anchors and a connecting element extending through the bumper assemblies and connecting the first and second bone anchors to one another.

Abstract: A bio-compatible stabilization system includes one or more inserters and a connector for traversing a space between one or more bony structures. The stabilization system is designed to reduce or eliminate stress shielding effects while functioning as a tension band. The connector includes an extendable member and an over-extension limiter that limits extension of the extendable member.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an apparatus for simultaneously displaying surgical navigational information and neuromonitoring information. The apparatus includes a video display terminal configured to display a visualization of anatomical structures of a patient and a computer operatively linked to the video display terminal. The computer is programmed to acquire neurological response information from the patient and automatically update the visualization of anatomical structures based on the acquired neurological response information.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated surgical navigational and neuromonitoring system. The integrated system provides real-time visualization of an instrument relative to a visualization of patient anatomy. The integrated system also acquires and incorporates neuromonitoring information into the visualization of the patient anatomy. The integrated system is further capable of integrating neurodiagnostic information, such as nerve conduction information, with anatomical and instrument position information to evaluate changes in neural integrity and develop treatment strategies.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated surgical navigational and neuromonitoring system. The integrated system provides real-time visualization of an instrument relative to a visualization of patient anatomy. The integrated system also acquires and incorporates neuromonitoring information into the visualization of the patient anatomy.

Abstract: A brush seal for use in a rotary machine includes a rotary component disposed inside a stationary component. A brush sealing system is disposed between the stationary component and the rotary component. The brush sealing system includes a seal housing that contains a matrix of potting compound, coupled to the stationary component. A plurality of bristles is provided, each bristle having a first end embedded in the potting compound and a second end protruding from the seal housing towards the rotary component. The potting compound is formed from a ceramic suitable for use at high temperatures that is capable of bonding to non-metallic bristles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a curved spinal rod is disclosed. The method includes heating PEEK; injecting the PEEK into an arcuate spinal rod mold; holding the injected PEEK in the mold until the PEEK substantially sets; and removing the injected PEEK from the mold. In another aspect, a spinal rod is disclosed. The spinal rod includes an arcuate main body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion. The central portion has a non-circular cross-section with a height greater than its width. The first and second end portions and the central portion of the arcuate main body are integrally formed of a polymer such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The spinal rod also includes a rounded end cap adapted to mate with at least one of the end portions. The end cap is radiopaque.

Abstract: A method of reducing heat produced by an internal combustion engine in a motorcycle. The method includes supplying fuel pulses to a combustion chamber at least once per engine cycle (consecutive engine cycles defining a series of consecutive fuel pulses), operating the motorcycle at a low speed condition, and withholding at least a portion of at least one fuel pulse from at least one subsequent engine cycle to the combustion chamber when operating the motorcycle at the low speed condition.

Abstract: An intervertebral process brace is disclosed and can include a frame that can support a first vertebral process and a second vertebral process. The intervertebral process brace can also include a first vertebral process support strap that can span a first portion of the frame. The first vertebral process support strap can engage the first vertebral process and bind the first vertebral process between the first vertebral process support strap and the first portion of the frame.

Abstract: An implant is disclosed and can include a body and a plurality of pellets disposed within the body. The implant can be moved between an unmolded, relaxed configuration wherein the body is not conformed to a bone and a molded, relaxed configuration wherein the body is at least partially conformed to the bone.

Abstract: Devices and methods for spinal stabilization include first and second anchor assemblies engageable to respective ones of first and second vertebrae and a connecting element engageable to the first and second anchor assemblies. The connecting element includes opposite first and second members and a dampener between the end members that provides a flexible bumper between the end members to provide dynamic stabilization of the spinal column when engaged to the anchor assemblies.