Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a liquid container (30, 200), including: a bottom (32, 230; a reservoir tube (34, 232) disposed in the bottom (32, 200); a capillary (38, 212) disposed in contact with the reservoir tube (34, 232); a middle portion (36, 210) disposed on the bottom (32, 200); and the capillary (38, 230) having an upper portion (62, 222) extending from an upper opening of the middle portion (36, 210).

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a fixture for magnetizing axially alternating N and S poles defined circumferentially in a portion of an outer periphery of an axially extending, cylindrical, smooth shaft, the fixture including: a hollow cylindrical mandrel formed from a non-magnetic, non-electrically-conducting material; a conductive wire disposed in parallel, circumferential channels defined in an outer surface of the mandrel; a potting compound surrounding the mandrel to secure the conductive wire in place; and a central bore defined axially and centrally through the mandrel and exposing or nearly exposing the conductive wire; and the central bore being sized to accept axially inserted therein the portion of the axially extending, cylindrical, smooth shaft. Methods of using and manufacturing the fixture are also provided.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an automatic gain adjust method for radiation spectrometers, including: placing a calibration source emitting known energies at a radiation detector; acquiring a spectrum of the known energies; automatically analyzing the spectrum and comparing the spectrum with the known energies; automatically adjusting gain of an amplifier of the spectrum until peaks of the spectrum are in correct channels.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: a light fixture having a concave reflector disposed on a rear surface thereof; and at least one LED directed at a concavity of the concave reflector.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a pipettor head, including: a body; one or more solenoid valves disposed in the body; each one or more solenoid valves having an outlet at a lower end and an inlet at an upper end; each one or more solenoid valves having an outlet attached to a dispensing passageway; each one or more solenoid valves having its inlet attached to a standpipe; and the standpipe having an open top communicating with an interior of a closed vacuum/pressure chamber defined in the pipettor head, the closed vacuum/pressure chamber being arranged such that vacuum or pressure may be selectively applied to the closed vacuum/pressure chamber. A method of using the pipettor head is also provided.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vertical takeoff aircraft body having an inverted hemispherical upper portion, a generally cylindrical lower portion with a diameter of its upper end slightly greater than a diameter of its lower end but less than a diameter of the lower end of the upper portion, and a truncated inverted generally cone-shaped transition portion joining the upper portion and the lower portion; and a plurality of vertical columns attached to the aircraft body and spaced apart from the aircraft body, equidistantly disposed about the aircraft body. The present invention also provides novel landing gears for such an aircraft as well as a novel method of adjusting the pitches of rotating blades thereof.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a precious reagent container, including; a horizontally elongated body; a plurality of vertical, aligned reagent wells defined in the body, the reagent wells having a common depth; and a common vertical channel joining the vertical, aligned reagent wells, the common vertical channel having a depth equal to the common depth. A method of using the precious reagent container is also provided.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: a generally horizontal support tray to support a mailbox; a post interface bracket for attachment to a mailbox support post; a spring attached to said generally horizontal support tray and said post interface bracket and disposed so as to return said generally horizontal support tray to its normal position after said generally horizontal support tray is rotated out of position; and a connection pivot bolt connecting said spring and said post interface bracket, said connection bolt being sole method of fixed attachment of said generally horizontal support tray and said post interface bracket.

Abstract: A circuit and method for processing digitized analog signals (“input signals”) containing noise as well as maxima and minima of input signal, whereby local peaks and valleys of the input signal are detected and captured in the presence of the noise, and whereby peak detection attributable only to noise is suppressed.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a stabilized scintillation detector, comprising: a light source that periodically produces a light pulse; distribution means that impinges some of the light pulse on a first photodetector and on a second photodetector; a scintillator that receives radiation and is coupled to the second photodetector; and a control unit that receives signals from the first photodetector and the second photodetector representative of the light pulse received by the first photodetector and the second photodetector and outputs, in part, a signal to the second photodetector to stabilize the second photodetector. A method of using the scintillator is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment, a transformer system for use with either a dimmer switch or an on/off switch, including: a transformer; a load connected to the transformer; a first tap connected to the transformer to provide a first voltage; and a second tap connected to the transformer to provide a second voltage higher than the first voltage. A method of using the transformer system is also provided.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, drugs having chemotherapeutic properties which are useful against certain neoplastic disorders with wide safety margins as evidenced by their low toxicity, and molecular actions. Such drugs include as active ingredient(s) one or more N-substituted 2-(1H) pyridone(s) and/or N-substituted 3-(1H) pyridone(s). The compositions of this invention are novel as anti-neoplastic drugs, namely as an agent for treating leukemias, lymphomas, and leiomyomas as agent(s) for treating benign and malignant tumors, including lymphomas, leukemias, and leiomyomas.