Abstract: The invention encompasses phage ?mru including phage induction, phage particles, and the phage genome. Also encompassed are phage polypeptides, as well as polynucleotides which encode these polypeptides, expression vectors comprising these polynucleotides, and host cells comprising these vectors. The invention further encompasses compositions and methods for detecting, targeting, permeabilising, and inhibiting microbial cells, especially methanogen cells, using the disclosed phage, polypeptides, polynucleotides, expression vectors, or host cells.

Abstract: A System and method for self-checking a fluorometer for failure or deteriorated performance includes fluorescent reference standards mounted on a support to move with respect to one or more fixed fluorometers. The intensity of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescent reference standard is initially measured with the fluorometer, and, after a prescribed interval of usage of the fluorometer, a test measurement of the intensity of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescent standard is taken with the fluorometer. The test measurement is compared to the initial measurement, and failure or deteriorated performance of the fluorometer is determined based on a deviation of the test measurement from the initial measurement.

Abstract: The invention encompasses phage ?mru including phage induction, phage particles, and the phage genome. Also encompassed are phage polypeptides, as well as polynucleotides which encode these polypeptides, expression vectors comprising these polynucleotides, and host cells comprising these vectors. The invention further encompasses compositions and methods for detecting, targeting, permeabilising, and inhibiting microbial cells, especially methanogen cells, using the disclosed phage, polypeptides, polynucleotides, expression vectors, or host cells.

Abstract: Signal peptides and polypeptides from Methanobrevibacter ruminantium, a methanogenic archaea present in ruminants. Methods of using these peptides to permeabilise microbial cells, particularly M. ruminantium strain M1? (DSM 1093).

Abstract: The present invention includes the complete genome sequence for the methanogen, Methanobrevibacter ruminantium, including polynucleotides which encode M. ruminantium polypeptides or peptides, as well as polynucleotides from non-coding regions. Also included are the encoded M. ruminantium polypeptides and peptides, and antibodies directed to these peptides or polypeptides, in addition to expression vectors and host cells for producing these peptides, polypeptides, polynucleotides, and antibodies. The invention further includes methods and compositions for detecting, targeting, and inhibiting microbial cells, especially methanogen cells such as M. ruminantium cells, using one or more of the disclosed peptides, polypeptides, polynucleotides, antibodies, expression vectors, and host cells.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided to facilitate protecting media such as images, documents, video streams, and the like, from unauthorized copying or distribution. The method is based on requiring certain conditions to be filled prior to, and during, display of the media on a user display. The conditions for display may require pointing device cursor placement, operating certain keys, and the like. Permissions are granted to users by the media owners and the permissions are checked prior to display. Thus the user is prevented from copying the media and using it illicitly, and the media owner may share media while at the same time maintaining control over the use thereof. The system may also be utilized to provide time-limited access to certain materials.

Abstract: The invention encompasses components from microbial cells which are useful for antibody production, including peptides, polypeptides comprising these peptides, polynucleotides which encode these peptides or polypeptides, and antibodies directed to these peptides, polypeptides, or polynucleotides. The invention also encompasses to expression vectors and host cells for producing these peptides, polypeptides, polynucleotides, and antibodies. The invention further encompasses methods and compositions, especially vaccine compositions, for detecting, targeting, and inhibiting microbial cells, especially methanogen cells, using one or more of the disclosed peptides, polypeptides, polynucleotides, antibodies, expression vectors, and host cells.

Abstract: The invention encompasses phage ?mru including phage induction, phage particles, and the phage genome. Also encompassed are phage polypeptides, as well as polynucleotides which encode these polypeptides, expression vectors comprising these polynucleotides, and host cells comprising these vectors. The invention further encompasses compositions and methods for detecting, targeting, permeabilising, and inhibiting microbial cells, especially methanogen cells, using the disclosed phage, polypeptides, polynucleotides, expression vectors, or host cells.

Abstract: Signal peptides and polypeptides from Methanobrevibacter ruminantium, a methanogenic archaea present in ruminants. Methods of using these peptides to permeabilise microbial cells, particularly M. ruminantium strain M1? (DSM 1093).

Abstract: A cam spreader having a substantially rigid body with a proximal end defining a handle and a distal end defining a cam. The cam has at least a first lobe, the first lobe having an outer surface in a first quadrant of the cam as viewed in cross section along a longitudinal central axis of the body. At least a portion of the outer surface, or profile, of the curve is mathematically driven and produces a constant incremental lift.

Abstract: A vertebral implant for use in establishing desired spinal curvatures includes separate implant bodies. Each body may include an associated angle between inferior and superior surfaces of the body. Further, the implant bodies may be stacked so that the associated angles are oriented in different anatomical planes. The implant bodies may be secured to one another with a connector. The implant bodies may be used either independently or in conjunction with one another to achieve a desired spinal curvature. Each implant body may include bone engagement features that extend outward from the superior and inferior surfaces of the implant body. The implant bodies may include recesses that are positioned to correspond to the bone engagement protrusions in other implant bodies to allow contact between the inferior and superior surfaces of the respective implant bodies.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include bone opening protection devices that may be deformed to match the size and contour of the bone. The deformation may occur by compression, expansion or resilient movement to an original configuration. A method is also provided for implantation of the bone opening protection devices in the spine.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a patient includes a superior surface disposed at a first end of the implant and an inferior surface disposed at a second, opposite end of the implant. The superior and inferior surfaces of the implant are constructed with curvatures that approximately match the morphology of vertebral endplates. The inferior surface and superior surface may include the same or different radii of curvature within the coronal and sagittal planes. The inferior surface and superior surface may be defined by spherical radii. The radius of the superior surface may be about 60 percent to 74 percent of the radius of the inferior surface.

Abstract: A vertebral implant for use in vertebral fusion surgeries includes a body with an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface defines an interior cavity into which bone growth promoting materials such as bone graft are insertable. The body also includes a plurality of apertures that extend from the exterior surface to the interior surface. Further, the vertebral implant includes a cutting feature to decorticate bone that protrudes outward from the exterior surface at each aperture. The cutting feature is shaped so that as a cutting force is applied to move the implant in a cutting direction, the removed bone matter is directed through the apertures and into the interior cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include expandable, implantable devices and methods having internally contained expansion mechanisms. Devices expand linearly to provide secure fixation between or among anatomical structures. In some embodiments, an implant replaces one or more vertebral bodies of the spine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include expandable, implantable devices and methods. Devices expand linearly to provide secure fixation between or among anatomical structures. In some embodiments, an implant replaces one or more vertebral bodies of the spine.

Abstract: Intervertebral prosthetic devices and methods are provided which include an arthroplasty implant configured to reside within an intervertebral space between first and second vertebral bodies, and at least one implant-to-vertebra staple. Each staple, which includes first and second prongs, is formed of a shape memory material having a memorized state and a deformed state. The arthroplasty implant includes at least one vertebral support plate configured to engage at least one of the first and second vertebral bodies, and configured to receive the first prong of the staple(s). When the arthroplasty implant is disposed in the intervertebral space, the staple(s) couples the at least one vertebral support plate to the at least one first and second vertebral bodies when in the deformed state, and thereafter transitions to the memorized state resulting in compressive force being applied between the vertebral support plate(s) and the at least one first and second vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure at an anatomical location in a patient is disclosed. An incision is made in the patient to provide access to an anatomical element. A pressure measurement device may then be inserted into a predetermined area of tissue surrounding the anatomical element. Tissue surrounding the anatomical element may then be retracted with a retractor to expose the anatomical element. A pressure reading from the pressure measurement device may then be obtained that is indicative of an amount of pressure experienced by the predetermined area of tissue as a result of the retraction.

Abstract: A spinal implant device used for the surgical treatment of a spinal disorder. The implant device may be a static device or a dynamic device. In one embodiment, the implant device is constructed of a radiolucent material with attached radiopaque markers. The markers may be constructed of the same radiolucent material and a radiopaque additive. In one embodiment, the implant device is constructed of a carbon nanostructure reinforced polymer. In one embodiment, the implant device has a porous bone interface surface. The pore density of the bone interface surface may vary up to a larger value in areas where the bone interface surface contacts a cortical bone portion of a vertebra.

Abstract: An implant inserter is disclosed and can include a body and an implant engagement head that can be attached to the body. The implant engagement head can be configured to removably engage an intervertebral prosthetic disc. Further, an injector can be incorporated in the implant engagement head. The injector can be configured to deliver an injectable material to an expandable structure within the intervertebral prosthetic disc.