Abstract: An electrolytic bioreactor, assembly and method for growing organisms capable of oxidizing metal sulfides. The reactor comprises a vessel defining an anode chamber for housing an anode, and a cultivation chamber, for housing a cathode and a culture solution, a selective barrier between such chambers, which is impermeable to the organisms and to cations, and a receptacle defining a pH control chamber for receiving samples of culture solution from the cultivation chamber so that such samples are insulated from electric current within the cultivation chamber. Preferably, the capacity of the anode chamber is about 1% to about 3% of the cultivation chamber. In accordance with the method of the present invention during operation of the reactor assembly, the pH of the culture solution is controlled by circulating samples through the pH control chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled seismic energy source for impressing individual seismic energy pulses into the ground, wherein the hydraulic pressure forcing the ram downwardly is substantially reduced slightly before the ram contacts the ground, and a continual upward hydraulic force is applied to a downwardly facing surface of the ram, whereby the ram is quickly removed from the ground after a seismic impulse is generated to prevent secondary contact between the ram and the ground.

Abstract: An appliance for fixing fractures of the comprises an intramedullary nail for implantation in the intramedullary canal of the femur, a cross nail mountable on the intramedullary nail to extend through the neck of the femur and into the head of the femur and a locking screw that screws into a bore formed in the cross nail to fix the cross nail to the intramedullary nail. A D-shaped aperture is formed through the cross nail to receive the intramedullary nail therethrough and the intramedullary nail has a trifoliate cross section to co-act with the straight side of the aperture to prevent turning of the intramedullary nail in the aperture. A slit is formed longitudinally through the wall of the intramedullary nail and the bore that receives the locking screw is aligned with the slit so that a tapered nose of the locking screw will enter and expand the intramedullary nail into locking engagement with portions of the cross nail extending about the D-shaped aperture.