Abstract: A valve controller includes a housing, and a lever extending from the housing. The lever includes a protrusion rigidly attached to the lever, and the lever is biased to an initial position. A switch has an open and a closed position. A linkage is pivotally connected to the switch, and the linkage includes a centrally disposed slot configured to receive the protrusion such that movement of the switch controls movement of the linkage and the lever such that moving the switch to the closed position closes a valve controlled by the lever regardless of a position of the lever.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of controlling insect pests, in particular Leptinotarsa spp. which infest crop plants, and methods of providing plants resistant to such pests. Also disclosed are polynucleotides and recombinant DNA molecules and constructs useful in such methods, insecticidal compositions such as topical sprays containing insecticidal double-stranded RNAs, and solanaceous plants with improved resistance to infestation by Leptinotarsa spp. Further disclosed are methods of selecting target genes for RNAi-mediated silencing and control of Leptinotarsa spp.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a reservoir for storing pressurized fluid and a piston rod passing through the reservoir and having an end portion with a dimension larger than the piston rod. A sleeve is configured to engage the end portion of the piston rod such that when the piston rod is advanced, the end portion seals an opening in the sleeve. The sleeve and the end portion function as a piston for extracting fluid from a delivery chamber. When the piston rod is retracted, the sleeve engages a portion of the end portion to permit the reservoir to communicate with the delivery chamber through the opening. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of controlling insect pests, in particular Leptinotarsa spp. which infest crop plants, and methods of providing plants resistant to such pests. Also disclosed are polynucleotides and recombinant DNA molecules and constructs useful in such methods, insecticidal compositions such as topical sprays containing insecticidal double-stranded RNAs, and solanaceous plants with improved resistance to infestation by Leptinotarsa spp. Further disclosed are methods of selecting target genes for RNAi-mediated silencing and control of Leptinotarsa spp.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of controlling insect pests, in particular Leptinotarsa spp. which infest crop plants, and methods of providing plants resistant to such pests. Also disclosed are polynucleotides and recombinant DNA molecules and constructs useful in such methods, insecticidal compositions such as topical sprays containing insecticidal double-stranded RNAs, and solanaceous plants with improved resistance to infestation by Leptinotarsa spp. Further disclosed are methods of selecting target genes for RNAi-mediated silencing and control of Leptinotarsa spp.

Abstract: A method of operating a pressure compensated fuel injector includes: filling a fuel chamber with a charge of fuel by closing an injector valve and circulating a fuel from a fuel source through a plurality of recirculating valves and a cap valve; then isolating the fuel chamber and the charge of fuel from the fuel source; then equalizing a pressure within the fuel chamber to a rising pressure outside the fuel chamber by reducing a volume of the isolated fuel chamber; and then activating a solenoid that is coupled to the injector valve, opening the injector valve; and then further reducing the volume of the isolated fuel chamber to apply an over pressure within the chamber, pumping fuel from the fuel chamber through the injection orifice.

Abstract: A method of operating a pressure compensated fuel injector includes: filling a fuel chamber with a charge of fuel by closing an injector valve and circulating a fuel from a fuel source through a plurality of recirculating valves and a cap valve; then isolating the fuel chamber and the charge of fuel from the fuel source; then equalizing a pressure within the fuel chamber to a rising pressure outside the fuel chamber by reducing a volume of the isolated fuel chamber; and then activating a solenoid that is coupled to the injector valve, opening the injector valve; and then further reducing the volume of the isolated fuel chamber to apply an over pressure within the chamber, pumping fuel from the fuel chamber through the injection orifice.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated laser microdissection are disclosed. In one variation, targeted biological material is manually or automatically selected and a transfer film is placed in juxtaposition to the location of an interior of a cut path. In another variation, a sample of biological material is mounted onto a polymer membrane which is then placed onto a substrate. Targeted biological material is manually or automatically selected and a transfer film is placed in juxtaposition with the targeted biological material on the side of the biological material. In yet another variation, a sample of biological material is mounted onto a polymer membrane which is then inverted onto a substrate. Targeted biological material is manually or automatically selected and a transfer film is placed in juxtaposition with the targeted biological material on the side of the polymer membrane.

Abstract: A valve controller includes a housing, and a lever extending from the housing. The lever includes a protrusion rigidly attached to the lever, and the lever is biased to an initial position. A switch has an open and a closed position. A linkage is pivotally connected to the switch, and the linkage includes a centrally disposed slot configured to receive the protrusion such that movement of the switch controls movement of the linkage and the lever such that moving the switch to the closed position closes a valve controlled by the lever regardless of a position of the lever.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device comprises a cartridge for providing regenerative dialysis, the cartridge comprising: a body having an inlet and an outlet and defining an interior, the interior including at least a layer comprising urease, a layer comprising zirconium oxide, a layer comprising zirconium phosphate, and a layer comprising carbon, wherein at least two of the layers are blended together to provide a gradient of the two materials.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for a reciprocating combustion engine. A method includes operating a dual-piston engine including introducing a gas into a pair of combustion chambers; introducing a fuel into the pair of combustion chambers; compressing the gas; combusting the gas and the fuel; and exhausting combusted gases. Each of the pistons drives a reciprocating crankshaft that protrudes through a cylinder wall and cooperatively rotate a pair of rotors by engaging substantially sinusoidal cam tracks on the rotors. An apparatus includes a cam driven, concentric drive rotary-valve dual-piston engine.

Abstract: A bone implant device includes a barrel having a sharpened distal end for advancing into bone and a proximal end portion configured to engage a driver end for advancing and turning the barrel to implant the barrel into bone. A channel is formed longitudinally through at least a portion of the barrel and is open ended on the proximal end portion. A permeable material is disposed within the channel that permits fluid communication therethrough between the distal end and the channel. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: A delivery system includes a reservoir for storing pressurized fluid and a piston rod passing through the reservoir and having an end portion with a dimension larger than the piston rod. A sleeve is configured to engage the end portion of the piston rod such that when the piston rod is advanced, the end portion seals an opening in the sleeve. The sleeve and the end portion function as a piston for extracting fluid from a delivery chamber. When the piston rod is retracted, the sleeve engages a portion of the end portion to permit the reservoir to communicate with the delivery chamber through the opening. Methods of use are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device includes a resin bed including zirconium phosphate, zirconium oxide, and urease.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a spine are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes expanding an expandable member to move a tissue portion and form a cavity within an interior of a bone-related structure. At least a portion of the cavity is filled with a filler material while simultaneously withdrawing a medium from the expandable member at a predefined ratio such that the tissue portion substantially maintains its moved position. In some embodiments, the predefined ratio is 1:1. In another embodiment, a method includes expanding an expandable member to move a tissue portion and form a cavity within an interior of an intervertebral disc. At least a portion of the cavity is filled with a filler material while substantially maintaining the moved position of the tissue portion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for a reciprocating combustion engine. A method includes operating a dual-piston engine including introducing a gas into a pair of combustion chambers; introducing a fuel into the pair of combustion chambers; compressing the gas; combusting the gas and the fuel; and exhausting combusted gases. Each of the pistons drives a reciprocating crankshaft that protrudes through a cylinder wall and cooperatively rotate a pair of rotors by engaging substantially sinusoidal cam tracks on the rotors. An apparatus includes a cam driven, concentric drive rotary-valve dual-piston engine.

Abstract: Pulse communications using precision timing includes detecting a pulse stream from a pulse code modulated carrier signal; transforming the pulse stream into a reshaped pulse stream; transforming the reshaped pulse stream into a counter gate stream; and recovering a data stream from the counter gate stream. The reshaped pulse stream is transformed into the counter gate stream with a digital circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for a reciprocating combustion engine. A method includes operating a dual-piston engine including introducing a gas into a pair of combustion chambers; introducing a fuel into the pair of combustion chambers; compressing the gas; combusting the gas and the fuel; and exhausting combusted gases. Each of the pistons drives a reciprocating crankshaft that protrudes through a cylinder wall and cooperatively rotate a pair of rotors by engaging substantially sinusoidal cam tracks on the rotors. An apparatus includes a cam driven, concentric drive rotary-valve dual-piston engine.

Abstract: A method of operating a pressure compensated fuel injector includes: filling a fuel chamber with a charge of fuel by closing an injector valve and circulating a fuel from a fuel source through a plurality of recirculating valves and a cap valve; then isolating the fuel chamber and the charge of fuel from the fuel source; then equalizing a pressure within the fuel chamber to a rising pressure outside the fuel chamber by reducing a volume of the isolated fuel chamber; and then activating a solenoid that is coupled to the injector valve, opening the injector valve; and then further reducing the volume of the isolated fuel chamber to apply an over pressure within the chamber, pumping fuel from the fuel chamber through the injection orifice.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing dialysis treatment are provided. The device includes a resin bed including zirconium phosphate, zirconium oxide, and urease.