Abstract: Methods and instruments are provided to allow access to a surgical site through a small incision while optimizing visualization of the patient anatomy. The instrumentation provide for the retraction of soft tissue, creation of a working envelope below the skin, and access to intervertebral discs and/or the surrounding bony structures for the purpose of performing various operative procedures including discectomy, laminectomy, and other spinal fixations. One set of disclosed instrumentation provides for the targeting of placement and trajectory of spinal fixation devices while reducing the number of instruments necessary needed to pass through the surgical incision. Another instrument disclosed herein allows for the compression of the intervertebral space through a very small incision. The instrument profile is minimized by using the same instrument that is used for tightening of the pedicle screws as one of the active components of the compression instrument.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for suture-based tissue repair, preferably for the annulus of a spinal disc, that includes a suture loop preferably pre-tied with a sliding knot, a clasp-type component that captures the ends of the suture loop, and an optional plug member that fills the tissue defect. Also disclosed is a method that places the suture loop in a full-thickness stitch encircling the tissue defect, secures the ends of the suture loop to the clasp, and cinches the suture loop to approximate the tissue without the need to tie knots. Also disclosed is a suture passer that enables a suture strand or loop to be passed through the tissue wall, captured, and retrieved. The suture passer may optionally incorporate a clasp in such an arrangement that enables a suture loop passed through the tissue wall to be captured directly by the clasp.

Abstract: A soft tissue defect repair system for approximating defects, such as defects in the annulus fibrosus of an intervertebral disc, includes a cannulated rod through which is disposed a suture retrieval device. A strand of suture includes a locking or ratcheting knot pre-tied around the outside of the cannulated rod and a free end that is guided in and out of the soft tissue. A knot pusher fits around the cannulated rod, which is used to push the knot off of the cannulated rod after the stitching of the tissue is accomplished. The defect is approximated by tensioning the free end. Various suturing methods or patterns are disclosed for defect approximation.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel bacterial hosts that are capable of high efficiency transformation with methylated and/or unmethylated nucleic acids, and that are bacteriophage resistant. Such bacteria contain: (1) an F? episome that confers high efficiency transformability; (2) one or more mutations that allow transformation of methylated nucleic acids; (3) one or more mutations that allow transformation with unmethylated nucleic acids; and/or (4) one or more mutations that confer resistance to bacteriophage infection. Also disclosed are methods for transforming such bacteria, and kits that contain such bacteria (e.g., that have been made competent for transformation).

Abstract: Namespace for continuation-based runtime. Some embodiments described herein are directed to a framework using continuation based runtime namespaces that pertain to an infrastructure for enabling the creation of a wide variety of continuation-based programs that perform a wide-array of tasks. The infrastructure provides a foundation for building continuation-based, declarative applications of various scale and complexity. In some embodiments, the associated application programming interfaces (APIs) are factored into a hierarchy of namespaces in a manner that balances utility, usability, extensibility, and versionability.

Abstract: A system for reducing organic contaminates from the condensate discharge of a closed loop industrial drying process. The system includes a dryer, a regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) in flow communication with the dryer, and an energy recovery unit in flow communication with the RTO.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods related to expression of protease inhibitors and variants thereof in bacterial species. The present invention further provides fusion nucleic acids, vectors, fusion polypeptides, and processes for obtaining the protease inhibitors.

Abstract: A continuation based runtime that participates in transactions that are not generated by the continuation based runtime, but rather are generated externally to the continuation based runtime. The continuation based runtime marshals in transaction data related to the pre-existing externally generated transaction. In one embodiment, the continuation based runtime itself may not do this, but perhaps may use a transaction enabled activity. Once the activity marshals in the data, the activity may request that the continuation based runtime enlist in the transaction, whereupon the continuation based runtime may then register and the transaction may be performed in the context of the continuation based runtime.

Abstract: Described herein are protease inhibitors, variants thereof and methods for their production.

Abstract: Described herein are protease inhibitors, variants thereof and methods for their production.

Abstract: Allowing a continuation based runtime to resolve different types of location expressions, value expressions, and/or locations. This may be accomplished using a different class for each particular type. The location expression classes may each have a common method used for all of the location expression classes. The value expression classes may each have a common method, and the locations may also each have a common method. This allows the resolution of such location and value expressions to be treated in a unified fashion regardless of the type of location expression, or the type of value expression. Also, the location may be treated in a unified manner regardless of the type of location.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods related to expression of protease inhibitors and variants thereof in bacterial species. The present invention further provides fusion nucleic acids, vectors, fusion polypeptides, and processes for obtaining the protease inhibitors.

Abstract: Knowledge-based information can be captured and processed to create a library of such knowledge. A maintenance worker performing a task for an asset can record audio and/or video information during the performance, and can upload the recording to a maintenance system. The system processes the recording to produce a text file corresponding to any speech during the recording, and generates a search index allowing the text file to be searched by a user. If the task is performed in the context of a work order, for example, information from the work order can be associated with the text file so that a user can search by text search, keyword, task, or other such information. A user then can locate and access the text file and/or the corresponding recording for playback.

Abstract: The present invention provides cleaning compositions comprising at least one carrageenase enzyme, methods for producing carrageenase enzymes in host cells, host cells comprising recombinant polynucleotides encoding at least one carrageenase, and recombinant polynucleotides encoding carrageenase.

Abstract: Described herein are protease inhibitors, variants thereof and methods for their production.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods related to the expression of Bowman-Birk protease inhibitors and variants thereof in bacterial species. The present invention further provides fusion nucleic acids, vectors, fusion polypeptides, and processes for obtaining the Bowman-Birk protease inhibitors.

Abstract: A mooring system comprising a dock attachment line, a submerging member, a submerged sea anchoring line, a second submerging member and a plurality of craft attachment assemblies. The dock attachment line has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is positioned at a dock and the distal end extends therefrom. The submerging member facilitates the submerging of the dock attachment line such that the distal end is positioned below the surface of the water. The submerged sea anchoring line has a first end extending from the distal end of the dock attachment line and a second end spaced apart therefrom. The second submerging member facilitates the submerging of the submerged sea anchoring line. The plurality of craft attachment assemblies extend toward the surface from the submerged sea anchoring line. Each craft attachment assembly includes a first end coupled to the submerged sea anchoring line and a second end directed toward a surface of water positioned thereabove.

Abstract: Described herein are protease inhibitors, variants thereof and methods for their production.

Abstract: An exemplary capacitor has a capacitor stack positioned in a case with a conductor positioned between the case and a lid. In one embodiment the conductor is positioned between the lid and an upper rim of the case and is welded to the lid and case. In one aspect, a capacitor constructed with round wire connectors for interconnecting anode and cathode layers. In one aspect, a configuration for electrically connecting a terminal wire to a capacitor case in which an end of the wire is attached to the case in end-on fashion. The terminal wire may have an expanded end for attaching to the capacitor case in a manner that minimizes the effect on the height profile of the case.

Abstract: Improved hand assemblies and methods combining a number of the separate known devices used in transseptal catheterization procedures, including sheaths, dilators, and needle assemblies (including a puncture device and a stylet, for example). The hand assemblies provide cooperating members that reduce the overall complexity and increase safety of transseptal catheterization procedures.