Abstract: A spinal implant includes an intermediate portion and a first portion extending in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The first portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. A second portion is spaced from the first portion and extends in a transverse orientation from the intermediate portion. The second portion includes an inner surface connectable with vertebral tissue adjacent a lamina. At least one of the first portion and the second portion includes an outer surface having a mating element engageable with a mating element of a surgical instrument. Systems, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a selected volume of water at a specified temperature. The dispenser includes a source of water at an elevated temperature and a source of water at a lower temperature. An electronic controller determines the volume of water needed from each source in order to arrive at the selected volume and temperature. The dispenser uses a recirculation valve to circulate at least the elevated temperature water in the tank and in the outlet in order to ensure the temperature of the water is as expected throughout the system to achieve the specified temperature.

Abstract: A connector includes an insulator, and a plurality of spaced apart signal contacts and return reference contacts which are held by and routed through the insulator. The signal contacts form signal pairs which include a positive signal contact and a negative signal contact. At a first end of the insulator, the signal pairs and return reference contacts are provided in two rows. At the second end of the insulator, the signal pairs and return reference contacts are provided in at least three rows. The signal pairs and return reference contacts form either a plurality of isosceles triangles or a plurality of diagonal lines.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing with a set of broad-side coupled terminals configured to engage a pair of signal traces on a first panel and a second panel and transfer signals between the signal traces on the first and second panels. The connector may be slid onto the edges and then fastened to one or both of the panels with a locking feature. Multiple signal pairs may be included in the connector and may be electrically separated. The design of the connector helps facilitate high-speed data communication per signal pair with a return loss performance that does not exceed at predetermined level. Certain configurations of the connector may be used for co-planar configurations. Certain configurations of the connector may couple together panels of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A connector includes an insulator, and a plurality of spaced apart signal contacts and return reference contacts which are held by and routed through the insulator. The signal contacts form signal pairs which include a positive signal contact and a negative signal contact. At a first end of the insulator, the signal pairs and return reference contacts are provided in two rows. At the second end of the insulator, the signal pairs and return reference contacts are provided in at least three rows. The signal pairs and return reference contacts form either a plurality of isosceles triangles or a plurality of diagonal lines.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing with a set of broad-side coupled terminals configured to engage a pair of signal traces on a first panel and a second panel and transfer signals between the signal traces on the first and second panels. The connector may be slid onto the edges and then fastened to one or both of the panels with a locking feature. Multiple signal pairs may be included in the connector and may be electrically separated. The design of the connector helps facilitate high-speed data communication per signal pair with a return loss performance that does not exceed at predetermined level. Certain configurations of the connector may be used for co-planar configurations. Certain configurations of the connector may couple together panels of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing with a set of broad-side coupled terminals configured to engage a pair of signal traces on a first panel and a second panel and transfer signals between the signal traces on the first and second panels. The connector may be slid onto the edges and then fastened to one or both of the panels with a locking feature. Multiple signal pairs may be included in the connector and may be electrically separated. The design of the connector helps facilitate high-speed data communication per signal pair with a return loss performance that does not exceed at predetermined level. Certain configurations of the connector may be used for co-planar configurations. Certain configurations of the connector may couple together panels of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing with a set of broad-side coupled terminals configured to engage a pair of signal traces on a first panel and a second panel and transfer signals between the signal traces on the first and second panels. The connector may be slid onto the edges and then fastened to one or both of the panels with a locking feature. Multiple signal pairs may be included in the connector and may be electrically separated. The design of the connector helps facilitate high-speed data communication per signal pair with a return loss performance that does not exceed at predetermined level. Certain configurations of the connector may be used for co-planar configurations. Certain configurations of the connector may couple together panels of different thicknesses.

Abstract: Novel metabolites and enzymes involved in skatole metabolism are disclosed. The novel metabolites are 3-OH-3-methylindolenine (HMI); 3-methyloxindole (3MOI); indole-3-carbinol (I-3C); and 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AM). Measuring levels of these metabolites in a pig may be useful in identifying the pig's ability to metabolize skatole and its susceptibility to boar taint. The novel enzymes involved in skatole metabolism are aldehyde oxidase and CYP2A6. Enhancing the activity of these enzymes may be useful in enhancing skatole metabolism and reducing boar taint. The identification of the enzyme also allows the development of screening assays for substances that interact with these enzymes and skatole metabolism or for genetic screening to identify pigs on the basis of their skatole metabolism. Pigs having high levels of these enzymes may be selected and bred to produce pigs that have a lower incidence of boar taint.

Abstract: Novel metabolites and enzymes involved in skatole metabolism are disclosed. The novel metabolites are 3-OH-3-methylindolenine (HMI); 3-methyloxindole (3MOI); indole-3-carbinol (I-3C); and 2-aminoacetophenone (2-AM). Measuring levels of these metabolites in a pig may be useful in identifying the pig's ability to metabolize skatole and its susceptibility to boar taint. The novel enzymes involved in skatole metabolism are aldehyde oxidase and CYP2A6. Enhancing the activity of these enzymes may be useful in enhancing skatole metabolism and reducing boar taint. The identification of the enzyme also allows the development of screening assays for substances that interact with these enzymes and skatole metabolism. Pigs having high levels of these enzymes may be selected and bred to produce pigs that have a lower incidence of boar taint.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the identification and isolation of a gene involved in the boar taint phenotype. A porcine form of a gene, designated SULT2A1, is identified. The invention additionally provides methods of inhibiting or reducing boar taint using the novel SULT2A1 gene or gene product. Methods for reducing or inhibiting boar taint and methods for screening compounds to modulate SULT2A1 are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preventing or reducing boar taint is described. The method involves increasing the metabolism of skatole in a pig by modulating the activity or expression of the enzymes involved in skatole metabolism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reblending sand whereby multiple reblending tanks with a plurality of reblending stations have thin respective outputs joined through a single control system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel alleles characterized by polymorphisms in sulfotransferase genes. The alleles may be used to genetically type animals for sulfotransferase activity. In a preferred embodiment, the alleles may be used as markers for boar taint in pigs. Methods for identifying such markers, and methods of screening animals to determine those more likely to produce desired characteristics and preferably selecting those animals for future breeding purposes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reblending sand in a classification tank having multiples stations and discharge valves within each station includes the steps of delivering sand to the tank; calibrating the tank to analyze the raw feed material and develop discharge rates, flow multipliers, and a mathematical model of the tank; and inputting a specification or quantity and sieve size distribution for a reblended sand product into a computer for controlling the tank. Then the tank is operated in a production mode and the discharge valves at each station of the tank are adjusted by the computer for percent open time and discharge rate. With one algorithm, the computer identifies which station has the most of a sieve size that is out of specification and diverts material at that station by closing the appropriate discharge valve(s).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reblending sand whereby multiple reblending tanks with a plurality of reblending stations have thin respective outputs joined through a single control system.

Abstract: A method of reblending sand in a classification tank having multiples stations and discharge valves within each station includes the steps of delivering sand to the tank; calibrating the tank to analyze the raw feed material and develop discharge rates, flow multipliers, and a mathematical model of the tank; and inputting a specification or quantity and sieve size distribution for a reblended sand product into a computer for controlling the tank. Then the tank is operated in a production mode and the discharge valves at each station of the tank are adjusted by the computer for percent open time and discharge rate. With one algorithm, the computer identifies which station has the most of a sieve size that is out of specification and diverts material at that station by closing the appropriate discharge valve(s).

Abstract: A method of reblending aggregate includes delivering aggregate of various sizes to the classification tank having a plurality of stations with primary and secondary discharge valves. The tank is then calibrated to determine raw feed analysis, discharge rates and the flow multipliers needed to develop a mathematical model of the tank. Inputting the calibration information data and the desired production specification into a computer allows the tank to be operated and controlled with appropriate adjustments in discharge rates and valve percent settings at each station. This method provides more accurate control than the existing min-max control methods. The apparatus for this method includes the tank, a pumping device, and a computer interconnected with a PLC and electrohydraulic mechanisms for valves at each tank station such that both the discharge rate from each station and the valve percent settings of the individual valves at each station are variable and controllable.

Abstract: A supervisory circuit for an anti-lock brake system (ABS) unit. The circuit includes an independent internal voltage reference source that provides power to the circuit components. The circuit also includes an external power source monitor powered by the internal voltage reference source which inhibits the ABS unit when an external power source voltage exceeds a predetermined level. The circuit also includes a system voltage monitor powered by the internal voltage reference source that inhibits the ABS unit when a system voltage deviates from predetermined system voltage parameters. The circuit also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) monitor powered by the internal voltage reference source that monitors a periodic signal generated by an ECU and that inhibits the ABS unit if an ECU timing signal deviates from a predetermined threshold level. The supervisory circuit helps to prevent spurious operation of ABS modulators due to race conditions.