Abstract: A gauge for use in a surgical procedure, including a body with a plumb bob mounted to the body. The plumb bob hangs from the body under the influence of a local gravitational field. More particularly, the plumb bob is rotatable relative to the body in both a first plane and a second plane, said planes being orthongonal to each other. In use, a connector allows the gauge to be connected to various surgical implements. The position of the indicator needle on the plumb bob is noted with reference to two sets of markings on the body to allow a surgeon to determine a first angle in a first plane and a second angle in a second plane. In one exemplary application of the invention, the first and second angles are anatomical angles associated with the surgical insertion of prosthetic components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil-less sand based root zone medium for the production of sod. The present invention is also directed to a method for the production of sod using a soil-less sand based root zone medium and a sod mat produced by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting impaired prefrontal cognitive function in an individual by determining the individual's COMT genotype, and associating a high activity Val allele with impaired prefrontal cognitive function (and a low activity Met allele with enhanced prefrontal cognitive function).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil-less sand based root zone medium for the production of sod. The present invention is also directed to a method for the production of sod using a soil-less sand based root zone medium and a sod mat produced by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A cerebrospinal fluid collection system and method for conveniently and safely holding in a test tube rack, during a spinal tap and collection procedure, sterile test tubes and spinal needles, needle sleeves and stylettes. A test tube rack has four holes for holding four sterile test tubes, two needle holes for holding a spinal needle, stylette or needle sleeve, and a handle for the physician to hold when moving the test tube rack during the CSF procedure. The handle can be held on the left side by a left hand, on the right side by a right hand, or in the front by either hand. The test tube rack also allows the physician to see when the appropriate amount of cerebrospinal fluid has been collected in each test tube, while such test tube is being held in the test tube rack. The test tube rack may be prepackaged with the other needed items in a sterile package.

Abstract: The surgeon grasps the jig by its handle and manipulates the head of the jig through the patient wound and onto the femoral neck. The head of the jig includes jig location means in the form of an elongate rod which acts as a spacer. The spacer has an end which abuts the trochanteric fossa so as to position the slot of the jig at the required position, which is between 5 mm and 25 mm, and most preferably 15 mm, from the trochantic fossa. Additional jig location means are provided by a surface adapted to receive a bone formation. This surface is provided by contours on the base of the head which are adapted to mate with contours of the femur. The slot is oriented generally perpendicularly to the elongate dimension of the rod. The slot functions as a surgical tool guide means which is positioned by the jig at the correct position for osteotomisation of the neck. Advantageously, osteotomisation takes place while the femoral head is still disposed within the acetabulum.

Abstract: The invention is related to the discovery that a met66val polymorphism in the gene for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is correlated with hippocampal function and verbal memory and risk for neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of sod utilizing a porous foundation, such as a geotextile. The present invention is also directed to a method for the production of sod using a soil-less sand based root zone medium and a sod mat produced by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil-less sand based root zone medium for the production of sod. The present invention is also directed to a method for the production of sod using a soil-less sand based root zone medium and a sod mat produced by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A fire suppression assembly comprising a blanket and a packet securely attached to the blanket near the centre by means of an adhesive. The blanket is a standard fire blanket and the packet comprises a housing made from a heat-sealed high density polyethylene, containing a fire suppressing formulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil-less sand based root zone medium for the production of sod. The present invention is also directed to a method for the production of sod using a soil-less sand based root zone medium and a sod mat produced by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A cerebrospinal fluid collection system and method for conveniently and safely holding in a test tube rack, during a spinal tap and collection procedure, sterile test tubes and spinal needles, needle sleeves and stylettes. A test tube rack has four holes for holding four sterile test tubes, two needle holes for holding a spinal needle, stylette or needle sleeve, and a handle for the physician to hold when moving the test tube rack during the CSF procedure. The handle can be held on the left side by a left hand, on the right side by a right hand, or in the front by either hand. The test tube rack also allows the physician to see when the appropriate amount of cerebrospinal fluid has been collected in each test tube, while such test tube is being held in the test tube rack. The test tube rack may be prepackaged with the other needed items in a sterile package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil-less sand based root zone medium for the production of sod. The present invention is also directed to a method for the production of sod using a soil-less sand based root zone medium and a sod mat produced by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of preparing a sports surface comprising a transportable turf grass. A sand based root zone medium is employed for the production of the transportable turf grass on a barrier at a place other than the sports site. The present invention is also directed to the sports surfaces made by the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods for providing a pathogen-free pig or pig fetus as a donor of tissue, cells and/or organs to a recipient human. Animals are free of zoonotic pathogens. When fetal tissues are used for transplantation, donor animals are free from zoonotic pathogens, pathogens able to cross the placental barrier, and tissue-specific pathogens, e.g., neurotropic pathogens. Tissues, cells and organs from pigs free of the above-listed pathogens are suitable for transplantation into humans, include fetal neuronal cells for treatment of Parkinson's disease and islet cells for treatment of islet insufficiency-related diseases.

Abstract: A printing network including at least one user workstation and a printer is described. The user workstation transmits print jobs with image controller commands having data which is representative of a network address of the user workstation. An image controller at the printer receiving the print job executes the image controller commands in the print jobs to extract the network address of the user workstation. Processes in the printer store the extracted network address of the user workstation in association with data representative of the print job. The printer transmits messages to the user workstation concerning the status of the print job using the network address extracted from the print job.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil-less sand based root zone medium for the production of sod. The present invention is also directed to a method for the production of sod using a soil-less sand based root zone medium and a sod mat produced by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: In a control system for a reluctance motor driving a load, the output of a reference waveform generator is applied to a power converter through a current controller. The output of the generator is determined by rotor position, as detected by a sensor. The generator establishes a relative magnitude for motor phase current for every position of the rotor during the period of energization of a motor phase. A further control input may determine the absolute magnitude of the motor phase current, subject to the waveform pattern established by the generator. The reference waveforms may be sinusoidal. A method of determining the configuration of suitable reference waveforms for a given motor involves monitoring selected parameters of motor operation while controlling other such parameter in a test procedure.

Abstract: In a power supply system, an inductance L is connected between a rail at a voltage V.sub.1 and a rail at earth through a switch S. When the switch is opened, a current i.sub.2 flowing from the inductance L is directed to a third rail through a diode D, voltage on the third rail rising to V.sub.2. The system may function as a dc to dc converter with an output voltage between the V.sub.1 rail and V.sub.2 rail equal to V.sub.2 -V.sub.1. The system may alternatively be used in, for example, a reluctance motor drive, in which case a further inductance with associated switch and diode is included in the circuit in inverse configuration to prevent excessive voltage rise on the third rail.

Abstract: In a servo control system for a reluctance motor, the output of a reference waveform generator is applied to a power converter through a current controller. Under standstill conditions, at least two of the motor windings are energised so that both forward and reverse torques are established, the forward torque being in equilibrium with the reverse torque. The controller may be responsive to a bias signal to establish said torques. The control system may form part of a reluctance motor drive system.