Crystalline molecular complexes of tadalafil are disclosed. The crystalline molecular complexes include those of tadalafil and oxalic acid, tadalafil and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, tadalafil and 3-phenylpropanoic acid, tadalafil and malonic acid, tadalafil and methylparaben, and tadalafil and propylparaben. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the crystalline molecular complexes are also disclosed.

Disclosed are methods of purifying (20R) and (20S) analogs of 2-methylene-19-nor-22-dimethyl-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to obtain the (20R) and (20S) analogs in crystalline form. The method includes the steps of preparing a solvent of either diethyl ether or a mixture of 2-propanol and hexane, dissolving a product containing the (20R) and (20S) analog to be purified in the solvent, cooling the solvent and dissolved product below ambient temperature for a sufficient amount of time to form a precipitate of crystals, and recovering the crystals.

The present invention relates to processes for the crystallisation and for the preparation and isolation of a novel crystalline form of fusidic acid, to the use of said processes in the manufacture of pharmaceutical formulation or medicament, and to the use of said crystalline fusidic acid form for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Disclosed are methods of purifying the compound (20R)-2-methylene-19-nor-24-difluoro-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to obtain the compound in crystalline form. The methods typically include the steps of dissolving a product containing the compound in a solvent comprising hexane and 2-propanol, cooling the solvent and dissolved product below ambient temperature for a sufficient amount of time to form a precipitate of crystals, and recovering the crystals.

Disclosed are methods of purifying the compound (20R)-19-nor-24-difluoro-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to obtain the compound in crystalline form. The methods typically include the steps of dissolving a product containing the compound in a solvent comprising hexane and 2-propanol, cooling the solvent and dissolved product below ambient temperature for a sufficient amount of time to form a precipitate of crystals, and recovering the crystals.

The invention relates to a powder resin with amp from 60 to 110° C., and a particle size from 10 to 250 μm, which comprises the reaction product of a reactive composition comprising: a) an isocyanate component comprising a polyisocyanate with functionality of at least 2, b) an alcoholic component, comprising: b1) at least one polyol with OH functionality from 2 to 4, b2) a monoalcohol component comprising: b2.1) a monoalcohol, bearing an ethylenic unsaturation b2.2) a saturated alcohol selected from the group of fatty alcohols, b2.3) optionally, an additional saturated monoalcohol from non fatty monoalcohols the molar ratios of OH functional groups, of the said alcoholic components b2.2) (possibly b2.3)) and b2.1) being defined so that the OH molar ratio of b2.2)/b2.1) or of [b2.2)+b2.3)]/b2.1) ranges from higher than 0.25 to 2, with the proviso that: the resulting said powder resin does bear at least one urethane unit with branched structure resulting from the reaction of an isocyanate component a) with a polyol component b), with said component a) having an average functionality higher than 2 or otherwise (if not higher than 2) the said component b1) having an average functionality higher than 2, with the resulting resin having no any crosslinked structure and being soluble in an organic solvent. The invention does also relate to a powder coating composition comprising the said resin and the resulting coatings and coated substrates for protective or decorative uses.

A separator includes a centrifugal drum having a vertical axis of rotation and a feed line for material to be centrifuged. A drive spindle for the centrifugal drum is rotatably mounted on a housing via a bearing, the housing being supported elastically on a machine frame. A drive device includes a motor housing and an electric motor having a stator and an armature which is aligned with the drive spindle. The drive device and the motor housing move with the drive spindle as co-vibrating units during an operation of the separator. The drive device is connected to the machine frame below the bearing at a lower axial end of the bearing via one or more joint elements.

A locking system for axially securing a rotor onto a rotatably mounted shaft. The arrangement includes a plurality of locking levers which are each pivotably mounted about axes extending perpendicularly to the shaft between a locking position and an unlocking position in planes containing the axes. The locking levers can each be automatically transferred between an unlocking position and a locking position depending on rotational speed. The locking levers are mounted on the rotor and an annular groove is provided on the shaft and engages with the locking levers in the locking position, wherein the locking levers are prestressed in the unlocking position. Advantageously, the rotor can be both installed and removed without tools by merely placing the rotor onto or removing the rotor from the shaft, in each case depending on rotational speed.

A lipoaspirate collection device to aid in the collection and processing of human tissue and fluid obtained during liposuction for use in point-of-care cell therapy. The collection device includes a collection body and a collection cap. The collection cap may have a fluid port, a lipoaspirate port, a vacuum port, and a relief valve. Within the central cavity of the collection device, a cone shaped may be positioned such that the apex of the cone is positioned underneath the lipoaspirate inlet through which the lipoaspirate fluid and tissue are introduced.

The invention refers to a centrifuge for separating whole blood into its blood components and a method for extracting a highly enriched thrombocyte concentrate out of whole blood. For this purpose, the centrifuge comprises a closed loop and/or open-loop control unit as well as a drive unit coupled to the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit, a rotor (12) having at least two container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16) for removably holding containers (18, 20, 22, 24) being in fluid communication with each other, at least one sensor arranged between the container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b) and coupled with the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit for detecting a separation layer. Herein, a motor/gear unit (30a, 30b, 32a, 32b) coupled to the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit is associated with each of the container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b). Each of the motor/gear units is in operational contact through means (34) with each of the containers (18, 20, 22, 24) supported in the respective container receptacle (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b) such that a transfer and back-transfer of blood components between the containers (18, 20, 22, 24) is initiated.

The invention describes an improved thermally-responsive record material substantially free of aromatic isocyanate yielding an image of high intensity and useful for bar codes. The record material comprises a support having provided thereon a heat-sensitive composition comprising a substantially colorless color former comprising a fluoran; and a developer material selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone and 3,3'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, and an organic acid which upon being heated reacts with said color former to develop color, and including a binder material. Optionally, a modifier compound is included in the heat-sensitive composition. The compound can be selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid amide, such as stearmide. Optionally, magnesium state is included.

The invention describes a thermally-responsive record material substantially free of aromatic isocyanate. The record material comprises a support having provided thereon a heat-sensitive composition comprising a substantially colorless dye precursor comprising a fluoran; and a developer material selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone and 3,3'-diaminodiphenylsulfone in combination with N-[(butylamino)carbonyl]-4-methylbenzene sulfonamide, which upon being heated react with said dye precursor to develop color, and including a binder material.

A thermal dye image receiver element has a substrate comprising a voided compliant layer and metalized layer. Disposed on the metalized layer is an opacifying layer that includes an opacifying agent and a dye receiving layer. This thermal dye image receiver element can be a duplex element with image receiving layers on both sides of the substrate, and it can be used in association with a thermal donor element to provide a thermal image on either or opposing sides of the receiver element. The metalized layer provides increased specular reflectance under resulting thermal dye images.

The invention describes a thermally-responsive record material substantially free of aromatic isocyanate. The record material comprises a support having provided thereon a heat-sensitive composition comprising a substantially colorless dye precursor comprising a fluoran; and a developer material selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone and 3,3'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, which upon being heated react with said dye precursor to develop color, and including a binder material. Optionally, a modifier compound is included in the heat-sensitive composition. The modifier compound can be selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid amide, preferably a saturated fatty acid amide such as an alkyl amide, a bis methylene alkyl amide, or a bis ethylene alkyl amide, or any of 1,2-diphenoxy ethane, dimethyl diphenoxy ethane, and dimethyl phthalate.

According to one aspect, an apparatus for computing a solution to a power flow problem for an electrical power system comprising a plurality of buses. The apparatus includes (a) at least one processor comprising a plurality of cores; and (b) memory coupled to the at least one processor for storing an admittance matrix for the power system, real power and reactive power for each bus, and an initial complex voltage for each bus; (c) wherein the at least one processor is configured to: (i) perform a Jacobi power flow calculation for each bus to determine the complex voltage for each bus, the Jacobi power flow calculation using the admittance matrix, the real power and reactive power for each bus, and the initial complex voltage for each bus as inputs, wherein at least two Jacobi power flow calculations are performed concurrently on the plurality of cores; (ii) calculate a power mismatch at each bus based on the complex voltages; and (iii) determine whether the Jacobi power flow calculations have converged based on the power mismatch and repeat (i) to (iii) if the Jacobi power flow calculations have not converged.

A method is disclosed for curing ink printed images on golf balls by printing an image onto a golf ball and exposing the printed image to infrared radiation, then exposing the printed image to ultraviolet radiation.

A method including depositing an alloying layer along a sidewall of an opening and in direct contact with a seed layer, the alloying layer includes a crystalline structure that cannot serve as a seed for plating a conductive material, exposing the opening to an electroplating solution including the conductive material, the conductive material is not present in the alloying layer, applying an electrical potential to a cathode causing the conductive material to deposit from the electroplating solution onto the cathode exposed at the bottom of the opening and causing the opening to fill with the conductive material, the cathode includes an exposed portion of the seed layer and excludes the alloying layer, and forming a first intermetallic compound along an intersection between the alloying layer and the conductive material, the first intermetallic compound is formed as a precipitate within a solid solution of the alloying layer and the conductive material.

Provided is a method of producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member having improved sensitivity and capable of outputting an image having less image defects due to a ghost phenomenon not only under a normal-temperature, normal-humidity environment but also under a low-temperature, low-humidity environment as a particularly severe condition. The method of producing a gallium phthalocyanine crystal includes subjecting a gallium phthalocyanine and a specific amine compound, which are added to a solvent, to a milling treatment to perform crystal transformation of the gallium phthalocyanine. In addition, the gallium phthalocyanine crystal is used in the photosensitive layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

A photoresist composition. The composition has the following: (a) one or more resin binders that include one or more acid sensitive groups and that are substantially free of phenolic groups protected by acetal or ketal groups; (b) one or more photo acid generators, that, upon exposure to a source of high energy, decompose and generate a photoacid strong enough to remove the one or more acid sensitive groups; (c) one or more ionic non-photosensitive additives including an iminium salt; and (d) one or more solvents. There is also a process for patterning relief structures on a substrate employing the photoresist composition.

A solution of a gallium phthalocyanine contains a compound of formula (1) and a gallium phthalocyanine of formula (2), H2N—CH2—R1—CH2—NH2 (1) wherein R1 represents a single bond, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group having 1 to 10 main-chain carbon atoms, a substituent of the substituted alkylene group is an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms and being substituted with an amino group, or a hydroxy group, one of the carbon atoms in the main chain of the alkylene group may be replaced with an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a bivalent group represented by the formula —NR2—, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms and being substituted with an amino group, and wherein X1 represents a chlorine atom or hydroxy group.

Provided is a method of producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member having improved sensitivity and capable of outputting an image having less image defects due to a ghost phenomenon not only under a normal-temperature, normal-humidity environment but also under a low-temperature, low-humidity environment as a particularly severe condition. The method of producing a gallium phthalocyanine crystal includes subjecting a gallium phthalocyanine and a specific amine compound, which are added to a solvent, to a milling treatment to perform crystal transformation of the gallium phthalocyanine. In addition, the gallium phthalocyanine crystal is used in the photosensitive layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

An animal call device includes a sound generator part and a sound amplifier part preferably directly connected to the sound generator part for producing an amplified and reverberating or echo-like animal call signal. The sound generator part includes a mouthpiece and a vibrating reed for producing staccato so-called grunt-like acoustic vibrations, particularly for attracting deer and similar mammals. A sound emitter member of the sound generator part is connected directly to a housing for the sound amplifier part which supports, in one embodiment, two spaced apart flexible diaphragms interconnected by a tension coil spring to produce complex echo-like amplified sounds. An alternate embodiment includes a single flexible diaphragm connected to a tension coil spring and supported in a frusto-conical housing for amplifying and modifying the staccato grunt signals produced by the sound generator part.

A system may include a macro cell base station configured to determine a service quality associated with the macro cell base station; determine whether the service quality is below a quality threshold; and instruct a small cell base station to switch from a sleep mode to an awake mode, when the service quality is below the quality threshold. The system may further include a small cell base station, located within a coverage area of the macro cell base station, configured to enter an awake mode, when instructed to enter the awake mode by the macro cell base station; and inform the macro cell base station that the small cell base station is in awake mode. The macro cell base station may be further configured to hand over one or more user devices to the small cell base station, when the small cell base station is in the awake mode.

A technique dynamically configures and verifies routing information of broadcast networks using link state protocols in a computer network. According to the novel technique, a router within the broadcast network receives a link state protocol routing information advertisement from an advertising router, e.g., a designated router or other adjacent neighbor. The router learns of a next-hop router (“next-hop”) to reach a particular destination from the advertisement, and determines whether the next-hop is located within the same broadcast network (e.g., subnet) as the designated router. If so, the router further determines whether the next-hop is directly addressable (i.e., reachable), such as, e.g., by checking for link adjacencies to the next-hop or by sending request/reply messages (e.g., echo messages or “ping” messages) to the next-hop. In the event the next-hop for the destination is not directly addressable by the router (e.g., no adjacency or reply), the router installs a route to the destination via the designated router. Otherwise, the router installs a route to the destination via the next-hop.

In the present invention, one or both of an active wheel or a passive wheel is composed of an eccentric transmission wheel and is combined with a synchronous transmission belt for forming an eccentric wheel transmission wheel series, so that when the feet input forces at different angles from the treadle shafts of the treadles to an active wheel shaft combined on the active wheel through cranks, the active wheel forms different transmission speed ratios relative to the passive wheel according to the treadle angle, and random inward packing is performed to the transmission belt (100) of the engage end of the eccentric passive wheel (413) during the transmission for stabling the operation.

An energy harvesting system comprises a first region having a first temperature and a second region. A conduit is located at least partially within the first region. A heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy is disposed in heat exchange contact with the first region and the second region. The shape memory alloy is driven to rotate around at least a portion of the conduit by the response of the shape memory alloy to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. At least one pulley is driven by the rotation of the shape memory alloy, and the at least one pulley is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component.

Ball screws are described that may be incorporated into other devices such as a pulley assembly or a differential device. The ball screws include a threaded shaft defining a central longitudinal axis with a threaded nut threadedly coupled thereto to define at least one track in between them. Each track forms a continuous loop around an infield protrusion and is filled with a plurality of rolling elements filling. Each rolling element has the same radius from the central longitudinal axis such that the nut can rotate at higher speeds without the rolling elements locking up as a result of centripetal force.

A method for electronically controlling a bicycle gearshift comprising at least one derailleur is disclosed, comprising the sequential steps of: a) imparting a movement on the derailleur of the gearshift until the derailleur is in an intended position;b) waiting for a predetermined time period,c) performing a check whether the derailleur is in the intended position, within a possible predetermined tolerance,d) in case said check has a negative outcome, imparting a movement on the derailleur of the gearshift until the derailleur is in the intended position. A derailleur and an electronically servo-assisted bicycle gearshift comprising control electronics comprising modules adapted to carry out the method outlined above are also disclosed.

The present invention is structured by using one or both of an active wheel and a passive wheel being composed of an eccentric transmission wheel and being combined with a synchronous transmission belt for forming an eccentric wheel transmission wheel series, so that in the reciprocal treadle performed by the human's feet, when the feet input forces at different angles from the treadle shafts of the treadles to an active wheel shaft combined on the active wheel through cranks, the active wheel forms different transmission speed ratios relative to the passive wheel according to the treadle angle.

A method for engineering and utilizing large DNA vectors to target, via homologous recombination, and modify, in any desirable fashion, endogenous genes and chromosomal loci in eukaryotic cells. These large DNA targeting vectors for eukaryotic cells, termed LTVECs, are derived from fragments of cloned genomic DNA larger than those typically used by other approaches intended to perform homologous targeting in eukaryotic cells. Also provided is a rapid and convenient method of detecting eukaryotic cells in which the LTVEC has correctly targeted and modified the desired endogenous gene(s) or chromosomal locus (loci) as well as the use of these cells to generate organisms bearing the genetic modification.

A process for preparing the compound of the following formula (E): wherein Bn represents a benzyl group, and tBu represents a tert-butyl group, the process including: (a) subjecting the following compound (B) to trifluoroacetylation, wherein tBu represents a tert-butyl group to produce the following compound (C): wherein tBu represents a tert-butyl group, and TFA represents a trifluoroacetyl group; (b) reacting the compound (C) with benzyloxyamine in the presence of a hydroxyl group activating agent to produce the following compound (D): wherein Bn represents a benzyl group, tBu represents a tert-butyl group, and TFA represents a trifluoroacetyl group; and (c) subjecting the compound (D) to detrifluoroacetylation.

The present invention generally relates to use of compounds and compositions as a chemosensitizers and/or radiosensitizers and/or inhibitors of PNKP phosphatase activity. The present invention provides pharmaceutical combinations and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, kits containing such compounds and/composition and methods of using such compounds and/or compositions.

The present invention relates to novel bicyclic thiazoles which are positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (“mGluR5”) and which are useful for the treatment or prevention of disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction and diseases in which the mGluR5 subtype of receptors is involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, to processes for preparing such compounds and compositions, and to the use of such compounds and compositions for the prevention and treatment of disorders in which mGluR5 is involved.

A method of manufacturing fastenings or fasteners with radial outer contours, especially screws or threaded bolts, made of solid metal is performed by a device. The method manufactures the fastenings or fasteners preferably on a multi-stage press. Several recesses running in an axial direction at a fixed radial distance are formed in the shank-shaped section of a blank. The prefabricated blank with the recesses is inserted into a multi-part split mold within a multi-stage press, whose die stocks have an inner profiling forming the outer contour, and are opened in the starting position, that at the places where the die stocks are opened, there are the recesses. During the closing movement of the die stocks, at least one radial outer contour is pressed on the shank-shaped section of the blank by radial action of forces, with the recesses preventing material from getting between the die stocks during the pressing process.

The invention provides a grease composition for a hub unit bearing employing an angular contact ball bearing, containing (a) as a thickener a mixture of diurea compounds represented by formula (I): R1—NHCONH—R2—NHCONH—R1, formula (II): R1—NHCONH—R2—NHCONH—R3, and formula (III): R3—NHCONH—R2—NHCONH—R3 wherein R1 is cyclohexyl group, R2 is a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, R3 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and (R1/(R1+R3))×100=85 to 95 mol %; (b) a base oil; (c) a molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate; and (d) a calcium sulfonate. The grease composition of the invention, when used in the hub unit bearing, shows minimum leakage, excellent anti-flaking properties and satisfactory bearing lubrication life.

A machining installation for workpieces comprises a workpiece positioning device comprising a workpiece holder pivot unit as well as a tool positioning device comprising a tool holder pivot unit. The workpiece holder pivot unit is designed such that a workpiece holder is pivotable about at least three and no more than four workpiece holder pivot axes. Moreover, the tool holder pivot unit is designed such that a tool holder is pivotable about no more than two tool holder pivot axes. The machining installation has a simple design and ensures flexible and accurate machining of workpieces.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods for allocating bandwidth to a plurality of traffic containers of a passive optical network. The method comprises receiving upstream data from a plurality of traffic containers of the passive optical network and passing the upstream data to a traffic manager. The method further comprises dynamically changing the allocated bandwidth based at least in part on the amount of the upstream data stored in one or more queues of the traffic manager.

A thermally assisted magnetic recording medium (1) includes a substrate (101), an underlayer (3) that is formed above the substrate (101), and a magnetic layer (107) that is formed on the underlayer (3) and contains an alloy having an L10 structure as a main component. The underlayer (3) is formed by continuously laminating a first underlayer (104) having a BCC structure with a lattice constant that is 0.302 to 0.332 nm, a second underlayer (105) that has a NaCl structure including C, and a third underlayer (106) that is composed of MgO.

A return path section includes first and second yoke portions and first, second and third columnar portions. The first and second yoke portions and the first columnar portion are located on the same side in the direction of travel of the recording medium relative to a wave guide core. The second and third columnar portions are located on opposite sides of a plasmon generator and connected to a shield. The first yoke portion connects a main pole to the first columnar portion. The second yoke portion connects the first columnar portion to the second and third columnar portions. A coil is wound around the first columnar portion.

A method of storing data includes providing a write signal for a write head of a hard disk drive, generating a transition pulse signal derived from the write signal using a transition pulse generator, and generating a logic signal to drive a thermal source associated with the write head of the hard disk drive. The logic signal includes the logical summation of a cyclical base pulse signal and the transition pulse signal.

In a heat-assisted magnetic recording hard disk drive, one or more thermally conductive features are incorporated to assist with dissipation of heat from a laser module that comprises a laser and a submount. The submount may be coupled to the slider with solder covering a wider adhesive area for enhanced conduction of heat away from the laser module and to the slider, one or both of the submount and the laser may include a surface coating that increases the thermal radiation of the corresponding component, and/or one or both of the submount and the laser may include fins configured to transfer heat from the corresponding component. Further, a HAMR HGA may be configured such that the submount is coupled directly to the suspension flexure using a thermally conductive material, for conduction of heat away from the laser module and to the flexure.

The present invention relates to a diesel oxidation catalyst comprising a carrier substrate, and a first washcoat layer disposed on the substrate, the first washcoat layer comprising palladium supported on a support material comprising a metal oxide, gold supported on a support material comprising a metal oxide, and a ceria comprising compound, as well as a process for the preparation of such catalyst.

Nanoparticle catalyst compositions and methods for preparation of same are described. The nanoparticle catalysts are platinum-free and are useful in effecting selective ring-opening reactions, for example in upgrading heavy oil. The catalyst may be of monometallic composition, or may comprise an alloyed or core-shell bimetallic composition. The nanoparticles are of controlled size and shape.

A method for securing an implantable medical device onto a balloon which includes applying a coating, which includes a film-forming polymer and at least one solvent, to the outer surface of the balloon. The solvents can include alcohol, water, ether and combinations thereof. The film-forming polymer can include a zwitterionic polymer, such as, for example a phosphorylcholine polymer. The coating can be applied to the entire balloon surface or a portion of the surface. The implantable medical device is then positioned on the outer surface of the balloon and secured. The film-forming polymer is then allowed to cure in order to define an adhesive layer between an inner surface of the implantable medical device and the outer surface of the balloon. This method prevents or reduces the leaching or redistribution of any therapeutic agents dispersed within or on the surface of the implantable medical device.

An implantable device having a power source is provided. The power source uses reverse electrowetting technology to generate a charge to power the implantable device. The power source includes a flexible, non-conductive substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side with a channel between the first and second sides. Electrodes are arranged about the channel in a predefined pattern. A liquid is contained in the channel. The liquid includes a dielectric liquid and a conductive liquid that do not mix. The electric change is generated by moving the liquid back and forth across the electrodes. The force to pump or move the liquid is provided by organic means, such as, for example, the change in blood pressure between systolic and diastolic, the expansion and contraction of an organ, or the movement of a muscle.

The invention discloses a novel method of controlling the open circuit potential (OCP) of a medical implant by coupling it with small amounts of metals having a lower OCP than the implant. Coupling of Mg to less than 1% of the surface area of a titanium implant is shown to induce cathodic polarization of the titanium that inhibits cell proliferation at the surface of the implant. Mg—Ti coupling in medical devices promises to attenuate or eliminate potential complications of surgery such as peri-implantitis and bacterial infections at the site of implantation.

The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.

A method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating a social network data structure, the method comprising: receiving a corpus comprising one or more communication indications for one or more customers, each communication indication indicating start time and end time of a communication of the customer; and generating a social network data structure indicating connections between customers based upon the start time and end time indications of communication indication comprised in the communication indications.

Metallurgical reactors having cooling capability and electrode feed capability are disclosed. The reactors may include a shell having a sidewall and a bottom, where the shell is adapted to contain a molten material. The reactors may include at least one consumable electrode protruding through an opening of the shell and into the molten material. The reactors may include a current contact clamp configured to conduct operating current to the electrode, where the current clamp is in contact with the electrode, and where the current clamp comprises at least one internal channel, wherein the internal channel is configured to circulate a cooling medium. The reactors may include an electric isolation ring disposed between the electrode and the opening of the shell, wherein the electric isolation ring is configured to sealingly engage the electrode and the opening so as to restrict flow of the molten material out of the shell.

Apparatus and method are provided for electric induction heating and/or stirring of a molten electrically conductive composition in a containment vessel with the apparatus being removably insertable in the molten composition. An induction coil embedded in refractory or a coating is submerged in the composition and used to heat and/or stir the molten composition either externally or internally to the refractory or coating.