Mesoamerican Long Count calendar the use of zero as a place-holder and presents one of the earliest uses of the zero concept in history. On Maya monuments, the Long Count syntax is more complex. The date sequence is given once, at the beginning of the inscription and opens with the so-called ISIG (Introductory Series Initial Glyph) which reads "tzik-a(h) hab’ [patron of Haab' month]" ("revered was the year-count with the patron [of the month]"). Next come the 5 digits of the Long Count, followed by the Calendar Round (tzolk'in and Haab') and supplementary series. The supplementary series is optional and contains lunar data, for
Vertebral fixation pedicle fasteners. More information about this specific spinal fixation device can be found in The United States Patent Service’s November 13, 2007 publication of new patents. This patent can currently (September 23, 2008) be found on The U.S. Patent Website. Vertebral fixation Vertebral fixation (also known as "spinal fixation") is a orthopedic surgical procedure in which two or more vertebrae are anchored to each other through a synthetic "vertebral fixation device", with the aim of reducing vertebral mobility and thus avoiding possible damage to the spinal cord and/or spinal roots. A vertebral fixation procedure may be indicated in cases of