Abstract: An improved implant having components comprising an oxidized zirconium bearing surface adapted to decrease pain, lower friction, and minimize wear when coupled with natural femoral articular cartilage. The improved implant components also provide for reduced backside wear effects in fixed and mobile implants. The improved implant components further provide for more ideal wear coupling between components in mobile bearing implants.

Abstract: A method positions a profile of a prosthetic component on the three-dimensional model of a limb. Patient-specific anatomical data of the limb is gathered. First and second anatomical landmarks are identified to determine a first spatial relationship. A third anatomical landmark is identified to determine a second spatial relationship with respect to the first spatial relationship. The profile of the prosthetic component is positioned in all but one degree of freedom. A fourth anatomical landmark is identified to position the profile of the prosthetic component in the one remaining degree of freedom.

Abstract: A method positions a profile of a prosthetic component on the three-dimensional model of a limb. Patient-specific anatomical data of the limb is gathered. First and second anatomical landmarks are identified to determine a first spatial relationship. A third anatomical landmark is identified to determine a second spatial relationship with respect to the first spatial relationship. The profile of the prosthetic component is positioned in all but one degree of freedom. A fourth anatomical landmark is identified to position the profile of the prosthetic component in the one remaining degree of freedom.

Abstract: A low profile patient specific cutting block for a knee comprises a plurality of bone interfacing portions and a cutting slot. The plurality of bone interfacing portions are configured to overlie portions of an end of a bone. The bone interfacing portions each have a surface generally a negative of the portion of the bone the bone interfacing portion overlies. The bone interfacing portions are angularly offset from each other such that a first of the bone interfacing portions overlies an anterior portion of the bone and a second of the bone interfacing portions overlies a portion of bone generally perpendicular to the anterior portion of bone. The cutting slot is oriented in a fixed position relative to the bone interfacing portions such that the cutting slot directs a cutting tool at a fixed angle and at a fixed depth from the bone interfacing portions.

Abstract: A low profile patient specific cutting block for a knee comprises a plurality of bone interfacing portions and a cutting slot. The plurality of bone interfacing portions are configured to overlie portions of an end of a bone. The bone interfacing portions each have a surface generally a negative of the portion of the bone the bone interfacing portion overlies. The bone interfacing portions are angularly offset from each other such that a first of the bone interfacing portions overlies an anterior portion of the bone and a second of the bone interfacing portions overlies a portion of bone generally perpendicular to the anterior portion of bone. The cutting slot is oriented in a fixed position relative to the bone interfacing portions such that the cutting slot directs a cutting tool at a fixed angle and at a fixed depth from the bone interfacing portions.

Abstract: An improved implant having components comprising an oxidized zirconium bearing surface adapted to decrease pain, lower friction, and minimize wear when coupled with natural femoral articular cartilage. The improved implant components also provide for reduced backside wear effects in fixed and mobile implants. The improved implant components further provide for more ideal wear coupling between components in mobile bearing implants.

Abstract: A method positions a profile of a prosthetic component on the three-dimensional model of a limb. Patient-specific anatomical data of the limb is gathered. First and second anatomical landmarks are identified to determine a first spatial relationship. A third anatomical landmark is identified to determine a second spatial relationship with respect to the first spatial relationship. The profile of the prosthetic component is positioned in all but one degree of freedom. A fourth anatomical landmark is identified to position the profile of the prosthetic component in the one remaining degree of freedom.

Abstract: A method positions a profile of a prosthetic component on the three-dimensional model of a limb. Patient-specific anatomical data of the limb is gathered. First and second anatomical landmarks are identified to determine a first spatial relationship. A third anatomical landmark is identified to determine a second spatial relationship with respect to the first spatial relationship. The profile of the prosthetic component is positioned in all but one degree of freedom. A fourth anatomical landmark is identified to position the profile of the prosthetic component in the one remaining degree of freedom.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a newly discovered problem and solution for engineering S. cerevisiae to ferment xylose to make ethanol utilizing xylose isomerase to convert xylose to xylulose for entry, via xylulokinase, into the pentose phosphate pathway. When grown on a media containing xylose xylitol tends to accumulate in the cell despite the absence of xylose reductase activity in S. cerevisiae. Xylitol inhibits the activity of xylose isomerases. One solution described is to simultaneously express an exogenous xylitol dehydrogenase along with the exogenous xylose isomerase while optionally also overexpressing xylulokinase in the absence of expression of a xylose reductase. Another solution is a xylose isomerase from Bacteroides fragilis which is less inhibited by xylitol than other xylose isomerases, exemplified by E. coli xylose isomerase.

Abstract: A low profile patient specific cutting block for a knee comprises a plurality of bone interfacing portions and a cutting slot. The plurality of bone interfacing portions are configured to overlie portions of an end of a bone. The bone interfacing portions each have a surface generally a negative of the portion of the bone the bone interfacing portion overlies. The bone interfacing portions are angularly offset from each other such that a first of the bone interfacing portions overlies an anterior portion of the bone and a second of the bone interfacing portions overlies a portion of bone generally perpendicular to the anterior portion of hone. The cutting slot is oriented in a fixed position relative to the bone interfacing portions such that the cutting slot directs a cutting tool at a fixed angle and at a fixed depth from the bone interfacing portions.

Abstract: A method positions a profile of a prosthetic component on the three-dimensional model of a limb. Patient-specific anatomical data of the limb is gathered. First and second anatomical landmarks are identified to determine a first spatial relationship. A third anatomical landmark is identified to determine a second spatial relationship with respect to the first spatial relationship. The profile of the prosthetic component is positioned in all but one degree of freedom. A fourth anatomical landmark is identified to position the profile of the prosthetic component in the one remaining degree of freedom.

Abstract: A method of resecting distal and anterior portions of a distal portion of a femur for a bicompartmental prosthesis is provided. The method includes generating a geometric representation of the distal portion of the femur. A virtual anterior resection plane is calculated at a predetermined depth and is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the femur. The method identifies a distal-most point of a lateral portion of the virtual anterior resection plane and an AP line. A varus/valgus angle and an anterior-posterior distance are calculated. Anterior and distal resection guides are navigated according to the parameters calculated from the method.

Abstract: A device and method for resecting a distal portion of a femur comprises a distal cutting guide [98], a valgus guide [102], and a variable collet [10]. The distal cutting guide [98] is configured to overlie an anterior portion of the femur and comprises a slot for guiding a cutting tool across a distal portion of the femur. The valgus guide [102] is configured to connect to the distal cutting guide [98]. The valgus guide [102] is configured to align the slot of the distal cutting guide[98] at the proper varus/valgus angle. The variable collet [10] is configured to attach to an intramedullary rod and the valgus guide [102]. The variable collet [10] comprises a port [30] for receiving the intramedullary rod. The port [30] is angularly adjustable with respect to the valgus guide [102] such that adjusting the port [30] adjusts the varus/valgus angle of the distal cutting guide [98].

Abstract: The invention provides microbial strains possessing improved properties for production of aspartate-derived amino acids and chemicals. Methods of making such strains are provided. These methods include altering expression of the aceBAK operon, the glcB gene, or both. Alteration of expression may be accomplished through increased transcription, relief from native transcriptional control, and/or other means. Replacement of native promoters for these genes is also contemplated; for instance, their native promoters may be replaced by the tac promoter (Ptac).

Abstract: A comprehensive method to train and aid manufacturers in identifying inefficiencies in product manufacturing processes and in improving such processes. The method includes placing individuals in roles associated with a complete manufacturing operation from supply acquisition through to product delivery in the simulation of a product to be made. The method includes a set of tools describing individual stages of the complete manufacturing process but with all tools related to the common simulation. The individuals carry out their roles in the steps of the production simulation and their roles may be varied. This comprehensive method aids individuals in the observation and correction of wasteful production activities from the supply chain through manufacturing and back-end functions.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel bacterial strains and constructs as well as methods for production of L-amino acids, including but not limited to L-threonine. Such novel bacterial strains may be characterized by, for instance, Escherichia coli strains in which an aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (asd) gene is operably associated with at least one non-native promoter, non-native ribosome binding site, or both.

Abstract: Intercalation compositions having spinel structures with crystallites of metal oxides (M2O3) dispersed throughout the structure are provided having the general formula Li1+xMyMn2−x−yO4. Methods of producing the intercalation compositions and rechargeable lithium batteries containing the compositions are also provided.