Abstract: A handle adjustment assembly is attached to a walk-behind lawn mower, wherein the handle adjustment assembly is rotatably adjustable relative to a deck of the mower to allow the handle to be adjusted to multiple different heights relative to the ground at distinct operative positions. The handle adjustment assembly is also rotatable to allow the handle to be adjusted to a stored position adjacent to the deck, wherein the mower can be stored in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A turf maintenance apparatus having folding handles facilitating compact storage is presented herein. The folding handles can be compressed or extended to adjust overall length and can rotate between an extended operator position and a folded storage position. Depending on implementation, the folding handles can be locked in the folded storage position and can also lock in the extended operator position. An operator presence device(s) can disable operation of a motor or engine when the handles are not locked in the extended operator position.

Abstract: A handle adjustment assembly is attached to a walk-behind lawn mower, wherein the handle adjustment assembly is rotatably adjustable relative to a deck of the mower to allow the handle to be adjusted to multiple different heights relative to the ground at distinct operative positions. The handle adjustment assembly is also rotatable to allow the handle to be adjusted to a stored position adjacent to the deck, wherein the mower can be stored in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A handle adjustment assembly is attached to a walk-behind lawn mower, wherein the handle adjustment assembly is rotatably adjustable relative to a deck of the mower to allow the handle to be adjusted to multiple different heights relative to the ground at distinct operative positions. The handle adjustment assembly is also rotatable to allow the handle to be adjusted to a stored position adjacent to the deck, wherein the mower can be stored in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A handle adjustment assembly is attached to a walk-behind lawn mower, wherein the handle adjustment assembly is rotatably adjustable relative to a deck of the mower to allow the handle to be adjusted to multiple different heights relative to the ground at distinct operative positions. The handle adjustment assembly is also rotatable to allow the handle to be adjusted to a stored position adjacent to the deck, wherein the mower can be stored in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for lysis of cells that combine three lysis steps—(1) heat, (2) detergent and (3) base—into a single step and that can be completed in a short period of time, e.g., a few minutes. The methods combine a normally incompatible detergent and base lysis, allow for simplified removal of detergent after lysis, and importantly, limits damage to DNA, such as shearing, that typically results from separate application of conventional lysis methods, yielding improved quality and quantities of genomic DNA (gDNA).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for screening biological samples for the presence unknown microbes, such as bacteria and archaea or unknown eukaryotes using rRNA gene sequences or other highly conserved genetic regions, across multiple biological samples using a unique sequence tag (barcode) corresponding to the sample. The screening process tracks the unknown microbe or eukaryote in a diluted sample where the DNA has been prepared using whole genome amplification. The whole genome of the unknown microbe or eukaryote is then sequenced and assembled.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for lysis of cells, such as bacteria present in microbiomes, that combine three lysis steps—(1) heat, (2) detergent and (3) base—into a single step and that can be completed in a short period of time, e.g., a few minutes. The methods combine a normally incompatible detergent and base lysis, allows for simplified removal of detergent after lysis, and importantly, yields improved quantities of genomic DNA (gDNA) from difficult to lyse bacteria.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for screening biological samples for the presence unknown microbes, such as bacteria and archaea or unknown eukaryotes using rRNA gene sequences or other highly conserved genetic regions, across multiple biological samples using a unique sequence tag (barcode) corresponding to the sample. The screening process tracks the unknown microbe or eukaryote in a diluted sample where the DNA has been prepared using whole genome amplification. The whole genome of the unknown microbe or eukaryote is then sequenced and assembled.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for lysis of cells, such as bacteria present in microbiomes, that combine three lysis steps—(1) heat, (2) detergent and (3) base—into a single step and that can be completed in a short period of time, e.g., a few minutes. The methods combine a normally incompatible detergent and base lysis, allows for simplified removal of detergent after lysis, and importantly, yields improved quantities of genomic DNA (gDNA) from difficult to lyse bacteria.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for single-step PCR of a sample containing a complex target gene pool that can simultaneously amplify a wide variety of variant target gene sequences common to the sample while maintaining the original ratios of gene variants. The compositions and methods described herein utilize (1) a gene-specific primer pool that contains multiple variants that occur in a sample containing a complex mixture of target sequences that are both required for amplification of variants in the mixture which may introduce amplification bias, with (2) a non-specific PCR primer that is designed to target multiple gene-specific primer variants and eliminate amplification bias.

Abstract: A device comprises an arm cover to be positioned under the arm before being closed thereover, a shoulder strap to be positioned under the shoulder and adapted to wrap the shoulder when attached, over the shoulder, to the closed arm cover and a longitudinal strap to be fixed to the table opposite to the head. The longitudinal strap can apply tension on the shoulder strap when shortened. A method for installing a device on an immobilized patient comprising positioning an arm cover under the arm and a shoulder strap connected to the arm cover under the shoulder, closing the arm cover over the arm and attaching the shoulder strap, over the shoulder, to the closed arm cover, fixing an end of a longitudinal strap, connected to the arm cover, to the table opposite to the head and pulling on the longitudinal strap to apply tension on the shoulder strap.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for lysis of cells that combine three lysis steps—(1) heat, (2) detergent and (3) base—into a single step and that can be completed in a short period of time, e.g., a few minutes. The methods combine a normally incompatible detergent and base lysis, allow for simplified removal of detergent after lysis, and importantly, limits damage to DNA, such as shearing, that typically results from separate application of conventional lysis methods, yielding improved quality and quantities of genomic DNA (gDNA).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for lysing cells to release extract genomic DNA (gDNA). The methods use a mixture of microscopic glass beads and cells (for example, spores) that form a semi-dry cake that clings to a larger metal ball and the sides of the tube during bead beating lysis, greatly improving the efficiency of the bead beating process. The devices produce a chaotic motion which ensures that sufficient force is generated to open the cells, and that the metal ball impacts are distributed across the interior surface of the container so that all of the cell mixture is subjected to sufficient impacts to break the cells. As a result, spores and other difficult-to-lyse microbes, can be opened in seconds. The method reduces the number of steps and hands-on time by rapidly opening difficult to lyse cells, while preserving the integrity of the DNA.

Abstract: A bone screw for pelvic bone fixation, the bone screw comprising an elongate body having a first end which is threaded for engaging at least one bone in the pelvic region, a second end comprising a screw head, and at least one opening across the length of the elongate body for adjustably receiving a fastening means to limit movement of the bone screw away from the engaged bone in use, wherein the at least one opening is shaped such that the position of the fastening means relative to the elongate body of the bone screw can be adjusted. A system for bone fixation in the pelvic region includes the bone screw and the fastening means.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for lysis of cells, such as bacteria present in microbiomes, that combine three lysis steps—(1) heat, (2) detergent and (3) base—into a single step and that can be completed in a short period of time, e.g., a few minutes. The methods combine a normally incompatible detergent and base lysis, allows for simplified removal of detergent after lysis, and importantly, yields improved quantities of genomic DNA (gDNA) from difficult to lyse bacteria.

Abstract: A bone screw for pelvic bone fixation, the bone screw comprising an elongate body having a first end which is threaded for engaging at least one bone in the pelvic region, a second end comprising a screw head, and at least one opening across the length of the elongate body for adjustably receiving a fastening means to limit movement of the bone screw away from the engaged bone in use, wherein the at least one opening is shaped such that the position of the fastening means relative to the elongate body of the bone screw can he adjusted. A system for bone fixation in the pelvic region includes the bone screw and the fastening means.

Abstract: A bone screw for pelvic bone fixation, the bone screw comprising an elongate body having a first end which is threaded for engaging at least one bone in the pelvic region, a second end comprising a screw head, and at least one opening across the length of the elongate body for adjustably receiving a fastening means to limit movement of the bone screw away from the engaged bone in use, wherein the at least one opening is shaped such that the position of the fastening means relative to the elongate body of the bone screw can be adjusted. A system for bone fixation in the pelvic region includes the bone screw and the fastening means.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for screening biological samples for the presence unknown microbes, such as bacteria and archaea or unknown eukaryotes using rRNA gene sequences or other highly conserved genetic regions, across multiple biological samples using a unique sequence tag (barcode) corresponding to the sample. The screening process tracks the unknown microbe or eukaryote in a diluted sample where the DNA has been prepared using whole genome amplification. The whole genome of the unknown microbe or eukaryote is then sequenced and assembled.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for parallel single-step DNA purification starting with multiple crude biological samples for subsequent parallel PCR amplification of target DNA that attaches a unique DNA sequence tag (barcode) allowing all parallel processed samples to be combined into a single high-throughput sequencing run. The methods disclosed herein can be used to prepare and sequence dozens or hundreds of targeted samples as part of a rapid, highly parallel process, after which individual sample sequencing results are separated using the sample-specific tags (barcodes) to obtain results for each sample.