Abstract: Non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins, which are formed by operatively linking two or more monomers of a fluorescent protein, or which are derived from a fluorescent protein having at least one mutation that reduces or eliminates the ability of the fluorescent protein to oligomerize, are provided. The non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins can be derived from a naturally occurring green fluorescent protein, a red fluorescent protein, or other fluorescent protein, or a fluorescent protein related thereto. Also provided is a fusion protein, which includes a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein linked to at least one polypeptide of interest. In addition, a polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein is provided, as is a recombinant nucleic acid molecule, which includes polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein operatively linked to at least a second polynucleotide.

Abstract: Non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins, which are formed by operatively linking two or more monomers of a fluorescent protein, or which are derived from a fluorescent protein having at least one mutation that reduces or eliminates the ability of the fluorescent protein to oligomerize, are provided. The non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins can be derived from a naturally occurring green fluorescent protein, a red fluorescent protein, or other fluorescent protein, or a fluorescent protein related thereto. Also provided is a fusion protein, which includes a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein linked to at least one polypeptide of interest. In addition, a polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein is provided, as is a recombinant nucleic acid molecule, which includes polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein operatively linked to at least a second polynucleotide.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated service bay used for providing service access to the underside of vehicles. The service bay is fabricated as a single monolithic unit and then positioned in an excavated hole within a service building. The service bay has multiple safety cover grids that are hydraulically activated to enclose the bay's opening when not in use. An access stairway is retractable within the bay during use with a deployable safety handrail that collapses upon stairway retraction.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to variant fluorescent proteins, and more specifically to monomeric and dimeric forms of Anthozoan fluorescent proteins. In one aspect, the present invention provides variants of fluorescent proteins, where the variants have a reduced propensity to tetramerize, and form dimeric or monomerc structures. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such fluorescent protein monomers and dimers.

Abstract: Non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins, which are formed by operatively linking two or more monomers of a fluorescent protein, or which are derived from a fluorescent protein having at least one mutation that reduces or eliminates the ability of the fluorescent protein to oligomerize, are provided. The non-oligomerizing fluorescent proteins can be derived from a naturally occurring green fluorescent protein, a red fluorescent protein, or other fluorescent protein, or a fluorescent protein related thereto. Also provided is a fusion protein, which includes a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein linked to at least one polypeptide of interest. In addition, a polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein is provided, as is a recombinant nucleic acid molecule, which includes polynucleotide encoding a non-oligomerizing fluorescent protein operatively linked to at least a second polynucleotide.

Abstract: A valve system to control administration of fluids from an infusion pump to a patient when the height of the pump relative to the patient is varied, the system comprises a valve which pinches closed the flexible disposable tube that communicates between the pump and the patient unless a minimum pressure is attained in the pump's fluid reservoir. Once the minimum pressure is reached the valve stays open until the pressure in the reservoir drops below a predetermined value which is lower than the minimum "open" pressure. The pressure of the fluid is measured by a sensor pressed against the outside of the reservoir and the valve closes the tube only by externally forcing one external wall against the opposite wall and does not contact the fluid.

Abstract: A valve system to control administration of fluids from an infusion pump to a patient when the height of the pump relative to the patient is varied. The system comprises a valve which pinches closed the flexible disposable tube that communicates between the pump and the patient unless a minimum pressure is attained in the pump's fluid reservoir. Once the minimum pressure is reached the valve stays open until the pressure in the reservoir drops below a predetermined value which is lower than the minimum "open" pressure. The pressure of the fluid is measured by a sensor pressed against the outside of the reservoir and the valve closes the tube only by externally forcing one external wall against the opposite wall and does not contact the fluid.

Abstract: A valve system to control administration of fluids from an infusion pump to a patient when the height of the pump relative to the patient is varied. The system comprises a valve which pinches closed the flexible disposable tube that communicates between the pump and the patient unless a minimum pressure is attained in the pump's fluid reservoir. Once the minimum pressure is reached the valve stays open until the pressure in the reservoir drops below a predetermined value which is lower than the minimum "open" pressure. The pressure of the fluid is measured by a sensor pressed against the outside of the reservoir and the valve closes the tube only by externally forcing one external wall against the opposite wall and does not contact the fluid.

Abstract: A positive displacement infusion pump for delivery of intravenous fluid at a predetermined rate from a standard, flexible intravenous bag to a patient. The pump includes a bag chamber with a moveable side opposing a stationary side. The bag chamber has a volume which is greater that of the bag so the bag may be easily inserted into the chamber. The moveable side is controlled such that adjustments are made to the reduction of the chamber volume and/or rate of reduction of the chamber volume to precisely control the fluid flow out of the bag in accordance with information in the computer memory.

Abstract: A method of pumping fluid from an IV bag with a volumereducible chamber capable of holding the bag. The method includes the steps of placing the bag in the chamber and reducing the volume of the chamber according to calculations from known values in the controller memory to compensate for the nonlinear relationship between the reduction of bag volume corresponding to reduction in chamber volume. The next step is actuating the motor which controls the volume to reduce the volume of the chamber according to the calculations. A method of pumping from a flexible bag also is contemplated where the controller also or alternatively controls the rate of the reduction of the chamber rather than the volume.

Abstract: A stator assembly for an alternating current generator. The stator core is a one-piece molded part that is formed of iron powder having a particle size in a range of about 10 to 250 microns. The powder is bound together by a thermoplastic material which covers the particles and which serves to insulate the particles from each other. The particles may be coated with phosphorus and the phosphorus layer overcoated with the thermoplastic material. A three-phase output stator winding is carried by the core and has conductor portions located in core slots.

Abstract: An empty and load valve for a railroad car brake system is mounted on the bolster of a truck and has a sensing arm engageable with a side frame of the truck. An empty and load device is mounted on each intermediate truck of an articulated car. The device has a valve body with a manifold and an equalizing reservoir attached thereto. A first air passage extends through the valve body and a second air passage extends in the valve body from the first air passage to the equalizing reservoir. A piston assembly is reciprocable in the first air passage to open and close the passage and thereby proportion the available air supply. A plunger is movable in the valve body in response to the sensing arm to disable the piston assembly when a loaded condition is sensed. The plunger also allows a valve in the second air passage to close when a loaded condition is sensed so that all of the available air supply is supplied to the brake actuator.

Abstract: Belt-like traveling guide apparatus has been provided for guiding side edges of metal strip material that is being positively advanced from, for example, an uncoiling station to a second or processing station. Side pairs of idler guide rolls are employed for maintaining the material in a planar relation during its movement, and idler head and tail and upper and lower guide rollers are employed for maintaining one side face of each of a pair of continuous belts in synchronized movement engagement with opposite side edges of the material to thereby protect them and, at the same time, positively and accurately align the material during its forwardly advancing movement between the stations.

Abstract: A detonation sensor adapted for mounting on a vehicle engine component has a cylindrical outer case with an open end. An inner cylindrical case has an open end facing in the opposite direction as that of the outer case and is so disposed coaxially within the outer case that it is held slightly axially separated therefrom by at least one rod of a magnetostrictive material and a magnet axially in line therewith. The edges of the open end of the outer case are crimped over a washer which abuts the closed end of the inner case to exert an axial stress on the magnetostrictive rod. Axial mounting means are provided on the outer case; and a pickup coil surrounds the magnetostrictive rod within the inner case. Both inner and outer cases are formed from a magnetic material to shield the coil from external electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: A Schmitt trigger circuit produces synchronizing signals during and of a pulse width equal to the positive half cycles of an alternating current input signal. A monostable multivibrator circuit is triggered to the alternate state by the leading edge of each synchronizing signal and the resulting series of alternate state output signals charges a capacitor to a direct current potential level range signal directly proportional to the frequency of the input signal. A direct current potential ramp timing signal generating circuit, which is reset and disenabled by the leading edge and enabled by the trailing edge of the synchronizing signals, generates a timing signal which increases linearly in potential level at a rate determined by the range signal. A potential level detector circuit responsive to the timing signal and a delay signal of a selectable direct current potential level produces an output signal when the potential level of the timing signal increases to that of the delay signal.

Abstract: The energizing circuit of one of the primary windings of an ignition coil having at least two primary windings and a secondary winding is interrupted in timed relationship with the engine whereby a high ignition arc-creating potential is induced in the secondary winding upon each interruption of the primary winding energizing circuit. Upon each interruption of the primary winding energizing circuit, a monostable multivibrator circuit is triggered to the alternate state in which a potential signal is present upon the output circuit thereof and an electrical switching device is triggered conductive to complete a discharge circuit for an ignition capacitor through the other ignition coil primary winding.