Abstract: The invention provides methods for diagnosing impending joint failure in an animal by measuring the concentration of phenylalanine in a body fluid; measuring the concentration of one or more of tyrosine, alanine, valine, and glutamine in the body fluid; determining the ratio of phenylalanine to one or more of tyrosine, alanine, valine, and glutamine; and diagnosing impending joint failure by comparing the ratio to ratios predicative of impending joint failure.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a compact, low-cost, lightweight, versatile and easy-to-operate, processor-controlled carving and multi-purpose shaping device (“PCCMPS machine”). The PCCMPS machine that represents one embodiment of the present invention is configured, in part, similarly to common, commercially available portable wood planers and ubiquitous laser and ink-jet computer printers, with work pieces fed into the PCCMPS machine in a horizontal direction. The PCCMPS machine includes a motor-powered cutting head that can power detachable bits to drill, cut, shape, and rout a work piece under processor and computer control. The cutting head may be translated, under processor control, back and forth across the surface of the work piece in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the work piece is fed into the PCCMPS machine and moved by motor-powered rollers.