Abstract: A bone plate assembly including at least one bone plate, polyaxially adjustable fixation elements and a polyaxially adjustable locking mechanism. A first plate includes at least one polyaxial element for lockable connection with a fixation pad, and a connection feature which allows the plate to translate and polyaxially rotate relative to the locking mechanism. A second plate includes at least one polyaxial element for connection with a fixation pad and a connection feature for non-rotatable connection with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism allows translation and polyaxial adjustment of the first plate relative to the second plate and locks the first and second plates via a taper lock. The fixation pad includes a deflectable spacer configured to prevent premature locking of the pad. Methods for implantation of the bone plate assembly between two bone structures are disclosed. Instrumentation for implantation, compression and locking of the bone plate assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide comprising a hydrogen generating enzyme attached to a heterologous ferredoxin is disclosed, as well as polynucleotides encoding same, nucleic acid constructs capable of expressing same and cells expressing same. A method for generating hydrogen using the isolated polypeptide is also disclosed.

Abstract: Impact protection structures for vehicles are described. An impact protection structure includes a support structure of the vehicle, an interior rail coupled to the support structure, and an exterior rail coupled to the interior rail. The exterior rail has an inboard boundary wall positioned between an upper mounting region and a lower mounting region. The upper and the lower exterior mounting region of the exterior rail are coupled to an upper and a lower mounting region of the interior rail. At least a portion of the inboard boundary wall is spaced apart from an outboard wall of the interior rail such that when the exterior rail is impacted by a blunt-object barrier, the inboard boundary wall of the exterior rail deforms, thereby damping energy of the impact at the exterior rail and arresting crack propagation between the exterior rail and the interior rail.

Abstract: Impact protection structures for vehicles are described. An impact protection structure includes a support structure of the vehicle, an interior rail coupled to the support structure, and an exterior rail coupled to the interior rail. The exterior rail has an inboard boundary wall positioned between an upper mounting region and a lower mounting region. The upper and the lower exterior mounting region of the exterior rail are coupled to an upper and a lower mounting region of the interior rail. At least a portion of the inboard boundary wall is spaced apart from an outboard wall of the interior rail such that when the exterior rail is impacted by a blunt-object barrier, the inboard boundary wall of the exterior rail deforms, thereby damping energy of the impact at the exterior rail and arresting crack propagation between the exterior rail and the interior rail.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly including at least one bone plate, polyaxially adjustable fixation elements and a polyaxially adjustable locking mechanism. A first plate includes at least one polyaxial element for lockable connection with a fixation pad, and a connection feature which allows the plate to translate and polyaxially rotate relative to the locking mechanism. A second plate includes at least one polyaxial element for connection with a fixation pad and a connection feature for non-rotatable connection with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism allows translation and polyaxial adjustment of the first plate relative to the second plate and locks the first and second plates via a taper lock. The fixation pad includes a deflectable spacer configured to prevent premature locking of the pad. Methods for implantation of the bone plate assembly between bone structures are disclosed. Instrumentation for implantation, compression and locking of the bone plate assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly including at least one bone plate, polyaxially adjustable fixation elements and a polyaxially adjustable locking mechanism. A first plate includes at least one polyaxial element for lockable connection with a fixation pad, and a connection feature which allows the plate to translate and polyaxially rotate relative to the locking mechanism. A second plate includes at least one polyaxial element for connection with a fixation pad and a connection feature for non-rotatable connection with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism allows translation and polyaxial adjustment of the first plate relative to the second plate and locks the first and second plates via a taper lock. The fixation pad includes a deflectable spacer configured to prevent premature locking of the pad. Methods for implantation of the bone plate assembly between bone structures are disclosed. Instrumentation for implantation, compression and locking of the bone plate assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: A cyanobacterial cell comprising a PSI complex which accepts electrons from at least one respiratory cytochrome is disclosed. Methods of generating same and use of same for the production of hydrogen gas are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly including at least one bone plate, polyaxially adjustable fixation elements and a polyaxially adjustable locking mechanism. A first plate includes at least one polyaxial element for lockable connection with a fixation pad, and a connection feature which allows the plate to translate and polyaxially rotate relative to the locking mechanism. A second plate includes at least one polyaxial element for connection with a fixation pad and a connection feature for non-rotatable connection with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism allows translation and polyaxial adjustment of the first plate relative to the second plate and locks the first and second plates via a taper lock. The fixation pad includes a deflectable spacer configured to prevent premature locking of the pad. Methods for implantation of the bone plate assembly between bone structures are disclosed. Instrumentation for implantation, compression and locking of the bone plate assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: A cyanobacterial cell comprising a PSI complex which accepts electrons from at least one respiratory cytochrome is disclosed. Methods of generating same and use of same for the production of hydrogen gas are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cyanobacterial cell comprising a PSI complex which accepts electrons from at least one respiratory cytochrome is disclosed. Methods of generating same and use of same for the production of hydrogen gas are also disclosed.

Abstract: Impact protection structures for vehicles are described. An impact protection structure includes a support structure of the vehicle, an interior rail coupled to the support structure, and an exterior rail coupled to the interior rail. The exterior rail has an inboard boundary wall positioned between an upper mounting region and a lower mounting region. The upper and the lower exterior mounting region of the exterior rail are coupled to an upper and a lower mounting region of the interior rail. At least a portion of the inboard boundary wall is spaced apart from an outboard wall of the interior rail such that when the exterior rail is impacted by a blunt-object barrier, the inboard boundary wall of the exterior rail deforms, thereby damping energy of the impact at the exterior rail and arresting crack propagation between the exterior rail and the interior rail.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus which includes a drill bit attachable to the drilling end of a drill string, the drill bit including a bit body being attached to a shank and having a working face with at least one cutting element. The drilling apparatus also includes a jack element positioned within a bore of the bit body having a working tip substantially protruding from the working face, and which jack element is also adapted to move with respect to the bit body. One or more position feedback sensors are positioned proximate the jack element and are adapted to detect the axial and/or angular position of the jack element with respect to the bit body.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole tool string component has a first and second threaded end on a mandrel, the first threaded end attached to a first sleeve and the second threaded end attached to a second sleeve. An intermediate sleeve assembly is disposed circumferentially around the mandrel and intermediate the first and second threaded ends, and the intermediate sleeve assembly is primarily isolated from stress of the first or second sleeve.

Abstract: A cyanobacterial cell comprising a PSI complex which accepts electrons from at least one respiratory cytochrome is disclosed. Methods of generating same and use of same for the production of hydrogen gas are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly including at least one bone plate, polyaxially adjustable fixation elements and a polyaxially adjustable locking mechanism. A first plate includes at least one polyaxial element for lockable connection with a fixation pad, and a connection feature which allows the plate to translate and polyaxially rotate relative to the locking mechanism. A second plate includes at least one polyaxial element for connection with a fixation pad and a connection feature for non-rotatable connection with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism allows translation and polyaxial adjustment of the first plate relative to the second plate and locks the first and second plates via a taper lock. The fixation pad includes a deflectable spacer configured to prevent premature locking of the pad. Methods for implantation of the bone plate assembly between bone structures are disclosed. Instrumentation for implantation, compression and locking of the bone plate assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: A soluble fusion protein is disclosed. The soluble fusion protein comprises at least one soluble polypeptide and a heterologous polypeptide being fused thereto, the heterologous polypeptide being normally insoluble and/or suboptimally expressed when expressed in a cell, wherein the at least one soluble polypeptide has an amino acid sequence at least 65 percent similar to SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or 2, as determined using the Standard protein-protein BLAST [blastp] software of the NCBI.

Abstract: A drill string component includes a downhole power assembly and a center mandrel with a through-bore adapted to accommodate a flow of drilling fluid. The downhole power assembly includes a tubular battery cage disposed around the center mandrel. At least one battery is disposed in at least one bay formed in the tubular battery cage and a tubular sleeve is adapted to slide over and cover the tubular battery cage.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a section of a drill string has a drill bit with a body intermediate a shank and a working face, the working face having at least one cutting element. A jack element is disposed within the drill bit body and has a distal end substantially protruding from the working face. A drive shaft is in communication with the jack element and a rotary source. The drive shaft has a first portion secured within a bore of a tool string component in the tool string and a second portion secured within a bore of the drill bit. The first and second portions of the drive shaft are connected at a pin and box connection wherein the first and second portions are automatically connected as the tool string component is mechanically coupled to the drill bit.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a downhole tool string component comprises a tubular body with a first and a second tool joint adapted to connect to adjacent tool string components, and a central bore adapted to pass drilling mud between the joints. A sleeve circumferentially disposed about an outer surface of the tubular body. The sleeve is rigidly attached to the outer surface at first and second sleeve ends and forming at least three stabilizer blades. A nuclear source and at least one nuclear detector are disposed within a gap formed between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the tubular body.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a downhole tool string component comprises a tubular body with a first and a second tool joint adapted to connect to adjacent tool string components, and a central bore adapted to pass drilling mud between the joints. A sleeve circumferentially disposed about an outer surface of the tubular body. The sleeve is rigidly attached to the outer surface at first and second sleeve ends and forming at least three stabilizer blades. A nuclear source and at least one nuclear detector are disposed within a gap formed between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the tubular body.