Abstract: A process of controlling a sample separation apparatus for separating a fluidic sample includes determining whether the sample separation apparatus is appropriate for carrying out a predefined operation, by simulating the operation of the sample separation apparatus, and taking an action depending on a result of the determining.

Abstract: The chassis of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus such as a record player is mounted to a fixed structure such as a housing of the apparatus by one or more suspension devices. The chassis, parts carried thereby and the suspension device or devices are arranged to form an oscillatory system in which the vertical and the horizontal oscillating movements are decoupled from each other so that the three orthogonal oscillation directions or directions of movement do not mutually influence each other.

Abstract: A pick-up arm assembly for a record player comprises a pick-up arm mounting, a counterbalance device which includes a counterweight and which is mounted to the pick-up arm mounting so as to be pivotable about vertical and horizontal axes, and a pick-up arm comprising a tube having sound pick-up means disposed at one end and an insert fitting means disposed at the other end. The insert fitting means is capable of being received by the counterbalance device to enable the pick-up arm to be removably fitted to the counterbalance device. The counterweight is mounted in the counterbalance device so that it is substantially horizontally displaceable with respect to the horizontal pivot axis, and adjusting means is arranged at the end of the pick-up arm remote from the sound pick-up means to enable substantially horizontal displacement of the counterweight to be effected when the insert fitting means is fitted to the counterbalance device.