Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting a broach or stem into a bone, the broach and stem having an associated handle for impaction. The apparatus includes: a closed loop impactor configured to provide a series of impacts on the handle: at least one sensor configured to sense the series of impacts, including sensing the bone stress and to provide real-time feedback of a condition of the bone to the impactor's impact force, displacement and impact frequency; and a processor operably connected to the at least one sensor and configured to receive the real-time feedback therefrom, and operably connected to the impactor to control the rate and force of the impacts that the impactor applies to the broach.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-microbial compositions, including compositions with inhibitory activity against mycobacteria. The invention further provides methods for treating microbial infections, including the treatment of mycobacterial infection and diseases such as tuberculosis.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject with a microbially-based infection, comprising the administration of a compound to the subject. The compound is able to decrease ATP levels in the microbe by at least 10% compared to controls after 24 hours in an in vitro test, without killing mammalian cells during the same time period. The decrease in ATP levels is measured by: (1) removing the cells from the testing location and putting them on ice; (2) harvesting the cells at 4 degrees C. by centrifugation and disrupting it with bead-beating in an ATP extraction buffer; (3) removing cellular debris by centrifugation at 4 degrees C., leaving an ATP-containing supernatant; (4) measuring the amount of ATP present in the supernatant by a bioluminescence assay at 4 degrees C.

Abstract: A liquid retaining pressure relief valve for electrochemical battery cells is provided including a pressure regulator and a membrane vent that are mounted to the top and bottom ends of a threaded valve housing or plug. The valve housing or plug screws into the cell cover from the outside of the cell such that the membrane vent is internal to the cell. The membrane vent includes a thin gas permeable liquid repellant membrane that is molded into the body of the vent. The membrane is preferably composed of an expanded polytetraflouroethylene (ePTFE) polymer.