Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal implant (10, 110, 210, 310, 400) is provided and includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, opposed side surfaces that extend between the distal and proximal end portions, and top and bottom surfaces configured and adapted to engage vertebral bodies. The top and bottom surfaces have a surface roughness between 3-4 ?m. A cavity extends through the top and bottom surfaces defining a surface area that is at least 25% of a surface area of the top surface or the bottom surface. First orifices (24, 124, 224, 324, 426a) are defined through the top surface and second orifices (34, 134, 234, 334, 426b) are defined through the bottom surface. The second orifices are connected to the first orifices by a plurality of channels.

Abstract: A driving instrument for adjusting a spinal implant includes an outer shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a proximal adjustment assembly of a spinal implant, and an inner shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a distal adjustment assembly of the spinal implant. The inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft, with a proximal end of the inner shaft extending proximally from the outer shaft. The proximal end is configured to be rotated such that rotation of the inner shaft results in simultaneous rotation of the inner and outer shafts, with rotation of the outer shaft ceasing at a first value of resistance associated with the proximal adjustment assembly and rotation of the inner shaft ceasing at a second value of resistance associated with the distal adjustment assembly such that cessation of rotation of the inner shaft is independent from cessation of rotation of the outer shaft.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided and includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, opposed side surfaces that extend between the distal and proximal end portions, and top and bottom surfaces configured and adapted to engage vertebral bodies. The top and bottom surfaces have a surface roughness between 3-4 ?m. A cavity extends through the top and bottom surfaces defining a surface area that is at least 25% of a surface area of the top surface or the bottom surface. First orifices are defined through the top surface and second orifices are defined through the bottom surface. The second orifices are connected to the first orifices by a plurality of channel.

Abstract: A driving instrument for adjusting a spinal implant includes an outer shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a proximal adjustment assembly of a spinal implant, and an inner shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a distal adjustment assembly of the spinal implant. The inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft, with a proximal end of the inner shaft extending proximally from the outer shaft. The proximal end is configured to be rotated such that rotation of the inner shaft results in simultaneous rotation of the inner and outer shafts, with rotation of the outer shaft ceasing at a first value of resistance associated with the proximal adjustment assembly and rotation of the inner shaft ceasing at a second value of resistance associated with the distal adjustment assembly such that cessation of rotation of the inner shaft is independent from cessation of rotation of the outer shaft.

Abstract: A driving instrument for adjusting a spinal implant includes an outer shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a proximal adjustment assembly of a spinal implant, and an inner shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a distal adjustment assembly of the spinal implant. The inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft, with a proximal end of the inner shaft extending proximally from the outer shaft. The proximal end is configured to be rotated such that rotation of the inner shaft results in simultaneous rotation of the inner and outer shafts, with rotation of the outer shaft ceasing at a first value of resistance associated with the proximal adjustment assembly and rotation of the inner shaft ceasing at a second value of resistance associated with the distal adjustment assembly such that cessation of rotation of the inner shaft is independent from cessation of rotation of the outer shaft.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a spinal implant (10, 110, 210, 310, 400) is provided and includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, opposed side surfaces that extend between the distal and proximal end portions, and top and bottom surfaces configured and adapted to engage vertebral bodies. The top and bottom surfaces have a surface roughness between 3-4 ?m. A cavity extends through the top and bottom surfaces defining a surface area that is at least 25% of a surface area of the top surface or the bottom surface. First orifices (24, 124, 224, 324, 426a) are defined through the top surface and second orifices (34, 134, 234, 334, 426b) are defined through the bottom surface. The second orifices are connected to the first orifices by a plurality of channels.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided and includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, opposed side surfaces that extend between the distal and proximal end portions, and top and bottom surfaces configured and adapted to engage vertebral bodies. The top and bottom surfaces have a surface roughness between 3-4 ?m. A cavity extends through the top and bottom surfaces defining a surface area that is at least 25% of a surface area of the top surface or the bottom surface. First orifices are defined through the top surface and second orifices are defined through the bottom surface. The second orifices are connected to the first orifices by a plurality of channel.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided and includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, opposed side surfaces that extend between the distal and proximal end portions, and top and bottom surfaces configured and adapted to engage vertebral bodies. The top and bottom surfaces have a surface roughness between 3-4 ?m. A cavity extends through the top and bottom surfaces defining a surface area that is at least 25% of a surface area of the top surface or the bottom surface. First orifices are defined through the top surface and second orifices are defined through the bottom surface. The second orifices are connected to the first orifices by a plurality of channel.

Abstract: A driving instrument for adjusting a spinal implant includes an outer shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a proximal adjustment assembly of a spinal implant, and an inner shaft having a distal end configured to actuate a distal adjustment assembly of the spinal implant. The inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft, with a proximal end of the inner shaft extending proximally from the outer shaft. The proximal end is configured to be rotated such that rotation of the inner shaft results in simultaneous rotation of the inner and outer shafts, with rotation of the outer shaft ceasing at a first value of resistance associated with the proximal adjustment assembly and rotation of the inner shaft ceasing at a second value of resistance associated with the distal adjustment assembly such that cessation of rotation of the inner shaft is independent from cessation of rotation of the outer shaft.

Abstract: A system for holding at least one of sample and reagent for analysis. The system includes a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom. A frame is disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume. The frame and the covers are associated with one another to form a case, the case being substantially tight to liquids. A microfluidic array is disposed in the interior volume. The array includes a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces, the through-holes containing at least one of sample and reagent.

Abstract: A spinal implant is provided and includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis. The body portion includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, opposed side surfaces that extend between the distal and proximal end portions, and top and bottom surfaces configured and adapted to engage vertebral bodies. The top and bottom surfaces have a surface roughness between 3-4 ?m. A cavity extends through the top and bottom surfaces defining a surface area that is at least 25% of a surface area of the top surface or the bottom surface. First orifices are defined through the top surface and second orifices are defined through the bottom surface. The second orifices are connected to the first orifices by a plurality of channel.

Abstract: A system for holding at least one of sample and reagent for analysis. The system includes a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom. A frame is disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume. The frame and the covers are associated with one another to form a case, the case being substantially tight to liquids. A microfluidic array is disposed in the interior volume. The array includes a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces, the through-holes containing at least one of sample and reagent.

Abstract: A system for holding at least one of sample and reagent for analysis. The system includes a pair of parallel covers, at least one of which is light transmissive, of which pair a light transmissive cover forms a top, and of which pair the other forms a bottom. A frame is disposed between the covers to define, in relation to the covers, an interior volume. The frame and the covers are associated with one another to form a case, the case being substantially tight to liquids. A microfluidic array is disposed in the interior volume. The array includes a sheet of material having a pair of opposed surfaces, a thickness, and a plurality of through-holes running through the thickness between the surfaces, the through-holes containing at least one of sample and reagent.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods that are useful for the detection of a target analyte, such as a pathogen, in a sample.

Abstract: Methods of creating libraries of biological polymers are provided. The construction of a library employs a probability matrix for a reference sequence, and a constraint vector for which is applied to the probability matrix to produce a substitution scheme. The substitution scheme is then used to generate a library comprising substitutions recommended by the substitution scheme. The library members, or host cells comprising and/or expressing them, can be screened for desired changes in a property of interest in the biological polymers in the library.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for building DNA constructs in vitro, transforming such constructs into competent Bacillus strains with good efficiency, and generating populations of mutants. Also provided is a method to assemble DNA constructs in situ.

Abstract: Cells producing mutant phytases having modified activity are provided, as well as the phytases so produced. Also provided are methods of making and producing such phytases and the use of the expressed phytase protein in feed as a supplement.

Abstract: An evolvable production strain of B. subtilis exhibiting continuous or high level expression during protein evolution is described. An evolved Bacillus subtilis pstS promoter facilitates screening and production of secreted proteins.