Abstract: An adjustable pipette includes a body containing a plunger assembly including a thumb button that is axially moved in alternating relatively shorter sample aspirating and relatively longer dispensing strokes. Guide slots in a guide sleeve receive a stop pin carried by a plunger shaft, and the slots define two axially and circumferentially spaced lower stops for aspirating and dispensing strokes respectively. The thumb button includes offset lobes that apply a rotational torque to the plunger shaft when pressed by the user. The user presses one lobe for an aspirating stroke to rotate the plunger shaft in one direction and align the stop pin with uppermost lower stops for a relatively short aspirating stroke and the user presses the other lobe for a dispensing stroke to rotate the plunger shaft in the other direction and align the stop pin with lowermost lower stops for a relatively long dispensing stroke.

Abstract: An ultrasonic gas analyzer includes an acoustic cavity through which an air sample is drawn by a low speed air pump or other mechanism. The cavity has a pair of ultrasonic wave transmitters/receivers on opposite sides of the acoustic cavity. An electronic circuit controls the transmitters/receivers so that a high frequency ultrasonic wave is propagated across the cavity and thereby through the gas flowing through the cavity. This ultrasonic wave reflects back and forward across the acoustic cavity and the transmitters/receivers receive this wave and supply a signal indicative of the wave to an electronic circuit. Based on the time of flight data for the ultrasonic wave being reflected in a gas/air mixture and in air and the amplitude of those reflected ultrasonic waves, a determination is made as to the gases within the gas/air mixture. This determination then can be displayed and an audio signal can be generated depending on the amount of detected gases.

Abstract: A fader wheel assembly for a lighting control console includes a fader wheel having a single hub mounted at an acute angle to the top wall of the console. The inclined orientation positions approximately half of smooth, rounded outer wall and rim surfaces above the console top wall in an arrangement that is comfortable for the user. A single bearing locates the wheel as well as a transducer that is supported essentially only by its attachment to the fader wheel. Resilient arms lightly hold the transducer in position.

Abstract: The invention relates to radar interferometry apparatus comprising at least one emitter satellite (E) and a constellation of receiver satellites (S). The receivers are accurately synchronous and their orbits have the same eccentricity which is different from that of the orbit of the emitter. During one orbital period, the satellites travel round a relative ellipse (G) over which they are uniformly distributed. The invention provides applications specifically to measuring ocean currents, measuring world topography, and differential interferometry.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for preparing samples for analysis having at least a liquid-injecting needle (6), at least a column (32) for receiving the injecting needle, at least a tube (48), device (6, 26) for the tube and the column relative horizontal displacement between a position of coincidence in which the column bottom aperture (36) extends above the tube top aperture (50), and a relative lateral offset position of the two apertures (36, 50), and adapted device (6, 60) for the tube (48) and the column (32) relative vertical displacement such that in position of coincidence, the apertures (36, 50) interpenetrate, including vertical guide device for either the tube (48) or the column (32). The vertical guide device is adapted to operate the guiding under horizontal loading effect.

Abstract: A hub (1) of an arterial puncture needle includes a tubular and transparent viewing chamber (5) accessible to the reflux of blood, and a reserve chamber (6) which is leaktight to the ambient air and in air communication with an outlet end (5b) of the viewing chamber. The two chambers form a rigid unit with the hub and have predetermined volumes such that the blood does not reach the air reserve chamber when the systolic pressure is maximal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and kit for determining if a subject is at increased or decreased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The invention further concerns vectors, transformed cells or transgenic mammals which can be used in a method for the screening of compound capable of modulating the expression of the GluR-5 gene or the activity of the GluR-5 receptor. The compounds selected by the method of the invention, as medicament for the treatment or the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, also form part of the present invention.

Abstract: A hypodermic needle protector constituted by a single piece of molded synthetic resin, said piece having a distal portion which forms a cap in which the distal end portion of the needle is housed, and a proximal portion forming a base in which the proximal end portion of the needle is engaged, said two portions being hinged to each other via a thin zone constituting an elastic effect fold line such that manual action makes it possible to tilt the cap so as to reveal the needle and such that the cap returns on its own to its protective position after said manual action ceases, wherein the base of the protector is designed so that the cap is caused to tilt by applying manual action to the base.

Abstract: A poultry drinker system includes a number of drinker runs each including a selector valve, a drinker line control valve and a drinker line having a plurality of drinkers. The selector valve applies to the corresponding drinker line control valve either an intermediate control pressure or a relatively high inlet pressure. Control pressure is derived from inlet pressure by an adjustable pressure reducing controller. In the absence of control pressure, a low pressure is applied to the drinker line control valves. Each drinker line control valve includes a proportional relay valve that is closed when low pressure is applied to the drinker line control valve and is open when intermediate pressure is applied to the drinker line control valve. When open, the proportional relay valve supplies to the corresponding drinker line a low pressure outlet flow proportional to control pressure.

Abstract: One of these devices comprises: a reaction with cold plasma (10b), for producing the reforming of a primary mixture consisting of fuel gas (hydrocarbon or alcohol), as well as oxygen and/or water vapor, thus producing a secondary mixture containing in particular hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide; an intake piece (18) for mixing these constituents, co-operating with a burner (42) and an associated combustion chamber (40) to bring the resulting primary mixture to a high temperature, before it is introduced into the reaction chamber (10a); a ring-shaped chimney (48) enclosing this chamber for maintaining it at a relatively high temperature; a high frequency alternating high voltage source (58), modulated by brief periodical low frequency pulses and electrodes (62-66) for generating silent discharges, in the reaction chamber (10b) thus generating a cold plasma producing a high chemical reactivity to the gas mixture present; a membrane (12) with high selective permeability for extracting the nascent hyd

Abstract: An automated liquid handler includes a probe assembly with a probe foot that can be moved down against the top of sample containers of a variety of sizes and shapes defined by racks, tubes or plates. A seal at the bottom of the foot provides a seal between the foot and the containers making it possible to prepare a SPE sample by using positive, probe introduced pressure within the containers to force liquid samples out through media at the bottom of the container. The foot seal is self sealing without the need for adhesives or other potential contaminates, and is removeably mounted to the probe foot.

Abstract: A manifold tube is formed from a straight length of thin wall tube initially having a uniform circular cross section. A first segment of the tube is left in its initial circular cross section configuration. The first segment includes an inlet end of the tube. A second segment of the tube is flattened to form opposed flat wall portions spaced apart by a distance smaller than the diameter of the circular portion and separated by side walls spaced apart by a distance greater than the diameter. An inlet fitting is attached to the inlet end of the tube. A bend is formed in the first segment of the tube between the inlet end and the second segment. Burner valves and on oven control valve are secured with metal-to-metal contact to the flat wall portions in the second segment of the tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing non-rotationally symmetrical hollow bodies for defects includes a conveyor for continuously conveying the hollow body through a test region past a detector for producing measurement values characterising the nature of the respective hollow bodies being tested, in dependence on the angle of rotation of the hollow body. An evaluator device compares the measurement values to predetermined values to decide whether the respective hollow body being tested suffers from defects. The conveyor has a receiving device which is fitted over the respective hollow body to embrace it. The receiving device with the hollow body is rotated through a predetermined angular amount while the hollow body is being transported past the detector device. The receiving device is removed from the hollow body again in the region where the conveyor conveys the hollow bodies out of the test region.

Abstract: A motion stabilizer for yieldingly urging a relatively movable load member toward a normal or centered position relative to another load member includes a telescoping body that shortens (retracts) as the load members move toward one another and lengthens (extends) as the load members move apart. A reaction unit is mounted within an axially extending internal chamber defined within the body. The reaction unit has a normal length and a displaced length. The reaction unit may include a spring such as a gas spring or coil spring, and the spring may operate in compression or in expansion. The reaction unit may provide damping. Depending of the characteristics of the reaction unit, the displaced length may be either longer or shorter than the normal length.

Abstract: An elongated suction header for use in a sludge removal system is mounted transversely on a track guide that is mounted on and driven along a track rail affixed to a floor of a tank in a water treatment facility. As the track guide moves along the track rail, the header is moved transversely to the rail adjacent the floor of the tank. In cross section, the header has a top section that is generally dome shaped and extends from a bottom wall of the header. The ends of the top section overhang beyond or extend below the bottom wall along a longitudinal axis of the header. Inlet orifices are provided in the bottom wall of the header so that sludge is drawn into an inner compartment of the header when vacuum is applied to a vacuum port that extends through the top section of the header into the header compartment. In order to assist in channeling the sludge to the inlet orifices, flow splitters extend from the bottom wall between adjacent pairs of the inlet orifices.

Abstract: A nesting box is provided for use with a metabolism cage. The nesting box comprises an enclosure for receiving a nesting dam. The enclosure has a top wall, a bottom wall and sidewalls. Either the top wall or one of the sidewalls includes an entrance/exit aperture. The entrance/exit aperture has a selected size that is selectively provided relative to a defined size of the nesting dam. The nesting box is formed of a substantially transparent material allowing observation of the nesting dam and pups without opening the box. The nesting box is adapted for use with different laboratory animals, such as mice, hamsters, gerbils, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits.

Abstract: A paint overspray exhaust air filter for air laden with liquid paint overspray particulates being exhausted from an overspray paint booth includes an electrostatic charged or electret media used in conjunction with and positioned downstream of a primary high efficiency, high holding capacity overspray collection filter. The overspray air filter is designed to capture and retain virtually all of that overspray particulates contained in the air stream being exhausted from an overspray paint booth. The upstream overspray collection filter can include a single filter or additionally a secondary filter, but should be optimized to collect the overwhelming majority of the overspray particulates of a given size whereas the downstream electret media is adapted to collect overspray particulates that are smaller than the given size. The upstream overspray collection filter and the electret media can be separated or mechanically attached together.

Abstract: An integral water-cooled, air permeated, vibrating grate system for combusting biomass and other fuels in a boiler includes a grate top surface having air-flow apertures extending therethrough. The grate top surface is supported by a plurality of water-cooling pipes which arc coupled to a water supply. An enclosed air plenum unit is positioned under and attached directly to the grate top surface. The air plenum unit is coupled to an air supply for providing combustion air through the top grate surface air-flow apertures. The air plenum unit includes multiple zones, each of which zones has an associated air flow control damper so that the flow of combustion air can be controlled. Ash siftings formed on the grate top surface when the biomass or other fuel is combusted fall into the air plenum unit and flow toward at least one ash-siftings discharge opening at a discharge end of the air plenum when the grate top surface and the air plenum is vibrated.

Abstract: The top of a wall is covered by a coping assembly including an inverted U-shaped cap supported by outside and inside formed sheet metal cleats fastened to the wall. The outside cleat includes a horizontal top panel nailed to the top of the wall and a vertical outside panel nailed to the front surface of the wall. A brace including an upwardly extending portion of the vertical outside panel and an upwardly inclined strut supports the forward part of the cap. An inclined spring portion of the outside cleat supports the center of the cap. An inside cleat has a horizontal top panel nailed to the wall and a vertical inside panel portion. The cap has depending outside and inside wall sections with lower extremities that interlock with lower edges of the vertical outside and inside panels.

Abstract: A pressure regulator for supplying water to a poultry watering system or the like includes a control assembly for operating the pressure regulator in a normal or “on” mode, an off mode or a flush or bypass mode. A desired operating pressure is set by loading a diaphragm responsive to output pressure changes. Diaphragm movement is transferred by the control system to a valve member cooperating with an inlet orifice. The control system includes a spring captured in a preloaded state between first and second end members, one connected to the valve member and the other connected to the diaphragm. A knob is rotated from a normal “on” position to an off position and a collar pushes the end members together and pushes the valve member against the orifice. The knob is rotated to a flush or bypass position and the collar pulls the end members together and pulls the valve member away from the orifice. The inlet orifice and an inlet port are parts of a removeably mounted inlet member.