Abstract: A rapid and efficient method and apparatus for detecting electrophysiologic, proarrhythmic, contractile, and other effects of substances such as compounds and drugs in native cellular cardiac preparations, the preparations representing an integrated cell-based pharmacologic response is disclosed. More specifically, a method to (1) rapidly and efficiently detect and verify the effects of chemicals, compounds and drugs on cardiac repolarization, contractility, and excitability using optically based techniques and customized simulation protocols, and (2) rapidly and efficiently screen and select compounds for electrophysiologic and proarrhythmic effects on cardiac myocytes is disclosed.

Abstract: A rapid and efficient method and apparatus for detecting electrophysiologic, proarrhythmic, contractile, and other effects of substances such as compounds and drugs in native cellular cardiac preparations, the preparations representing an integrated cell-based pharmacologic response is disclosed. More specifically, a method to (1) rapidly and efficiently detect and verify the effects of chemicals, compounds and drugs on cardiac repolarization, contractility, and excitability using optically based techniques and customized simulation protocols, and (2) rapidly and efficiently screen and select compounds for electrophysiologic and proarrhythmic effects on cardiac myocytes is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing protein-containing materials, such as, for example, pastes, gels, lipidic cubic phases, lipidic mesophases, and mixtures of the foregoing into containers, e.g., wells of assay trays. The invention further provides a method for preparing the aforementioned containers for various experiments involving soluble proteins or membrane proteins or both types of proteins. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes (a) a gel dispenser assembly for dispensing small quantities of gels; (b) a pipette probe for dispensing fluids; (c) an actuator for moving the gel dispenser assembly vertically relative to the pipette probe; (d) a liquid-handling robot having a robot arm for moving the pipette probe and the gel dispenser assembly vertically and horizontally relative to containers, e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing protein-containing materials, such as, for example, pastes, gels, lipidic cubic phases, lipidic mesophases, and mixtures of the foregoing into containers, e.g., wells of assay trays. The invention further provides a method for preparing the aforementioned containers for various experiments involving soluble proteins or membrane proteins or both types of proteins. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes (a) a gel dispenser assembly for dispensing small quantities of gels; (b) a pipette probe for dispensing fluids; (c) an actuator for moving the gel dispenser assembly vertically relative to the pipette probe; (d) a liquid-handling robot having a robot arm for moving the pipette probe and the gel dispenser assembly vertically and horizontally relative to containers, e.g.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, a method for aligning a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, which sample is mounted on a positioning device, and a method for determining the structure of a sample containing a crystal by means of X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dividing a fluid into desired proportions by means of a filtering device.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dividing a fluid into desired proportions by means of a filtering device. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a filtration device, the filtration device comprising a filter; (b) adding a fluid to the filtration device, the fluid containing material dissolved or suspended therein; (c) placing the filtration device to which fluid has been added in a pressure vessel, the pressure vessel capable of withstanding a specified level of pressure relative to ambient pressure; (d) sealing the filtration device to form a trapped volume downstream of the filter; (e) increasing the pressure in the pressure vessel upstream of the filter; (f) allowing a period of time to elapse to allow the pressure downstream of the filter in the trapped volume to be substantially equal to the pressure upstream of the filter; (g) unsealing the filtration device; and (h) venting the pressure vessel.

Abstract: Method for mounting a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, a method for aligning a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, which sample is mounted on a positioning device, and a method for determining the structure of a sample containing a crystal by means of X-ray crystallography. The method includes activating a robot so that the tool retrieves the crystal holder, receives a sufficient amount of a fluid to maintain the crystal in the crystal holder at a temperature not in excess of about 160 degrees K, transfers the retrieved crystal holder to a positioning device, and mounts the transferred crystal holder on the positioning device, whereby the crystal in the retrieved crystal holder is maintained at a temperature not in excess of about 160 degrees K.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dividing a fluid into desired proportions by means of a filtering device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, a method for aligning a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, which sample is mounted on a positioning device, and a method for determining the structure of a sample containing a crystal by means of X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, a method for aligning a sample comprising a crystal for X-ray crystallographic analysis, which sample is mounted on a positioning device, and a method for determining the structure of a sample containing a crystal by means of X-ray crystallography.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising structure defining a combustion chamber, structure defining a fuel/air chamber adapted to communicate with a source of air under pressure, structure defining an air chamber, structure for opening the fuel/air chamber to the combustion chamber in response to communication of the air chamber with the air source, structure for effecting communication between the air chamber and the air source in response to delivery of fuel to the fuel/air chamber, and selectively operable structure for delivering fuel to the fuel/air chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel feed system for an internal combustion engine, the system including a vapor separator having a wall defining a fuel chamber adapted to contain a supply of fuel and having therein an inlet, an outlet and a fuel vapor outlet, and a float drive for affording communication between the fuel vapor outlet and the chamber when the supply of fuel is below a predetermined level, the float valve including a spring engaged with a valve member for applying constant force to the valve member when the valve is closed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming a boat to adjust the angle of attack of the boat relative to the water, which comprises passing the boat through the water at a speed sufficient to cause an intake conduit located on the after portion of the hull, and preferably at the stern of the boat to receive water. The received water is passed from the stern via a transfer conduit to the bow of the boat. The received water is then expelled downwardly out of the bow via a discharge nozzle at a velocity sufficient to create a reaction force great enough to create a bow-lifting moment upon the boat hull. In addition, the trim system can control the velocity of flow of the water expelled from the discharge nozzle to thereby control the reaction force and the bow-lifting moment.

Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus comprising a housing having therein a passageway including a valve seat adapted to communicate with a combustion chamber, and a bore adapted to communicate with a source of fuel under pressure, a valve member including a valve surface and a portion and being movable relative to the housing between a closed position wherein the valve surface engages the valve seat so as to close the passageway to the combusion chamber and the portion extends a first distance into the bore, and an open position wherein the valve surface is spaced from the valve seat so as to open the passageway to the combustion chamber and the portion extends a second distance less than the first distance into the bore, and an arrangement for adjusting the rate of fuel flow past the portion.

Abstract: The invention provides an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocal in the cylinder, an accumulation chamber, a supply conduit including a check valve and extending between the cylinder and the accumulation chamber, a supply valve having a valve head located between the cylinder and the check valve and operable between an open position and a closed position to control gas flow from the cylinder through the supply conduit to the accumulation chamber, and an arrangement responsive to the pressure in the accumulation chamber and in the cylinder for selectively moving the supply valve relative to the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: The invention provides an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder having a head end and adapted to have air and fuel combusted therein and a piston reciprocate therein relative to the head end, an exhaust port adapted to conduct combusted air and fuel from the cylinder, structure defining an accumulation chamber, a passageway communicating with the accumulation chamber and with the cylinder at a predetermined position located between the exhaust port and the top dead center position, and structure for blocking the passageway in response to travel of the piston toward the head end and to passage of at least a portion of the piston over the predetermined position, so that the accumulation chamber is substantially prevented from receiving combusted air and fuel when the piston travels away from the head end.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, a piston reciprocal in the cylinder, an accumulation chamber, a supply conduit which includes a valve and which communicates between the cylinder and the accumulation chamber for supplying pressure gas from the cylinder to the accumulation chamber in response to piston reciprocation to thereby accumulate pressure gas in the accumulation chamber, a discharge conduit which includes a valve and which communicate between the accumulation chamber and the cylinder and is operative to selectively mix pressure gas from the accumulation chamber with fuel under pressure and to discharge the resultant fuel/gas mixture into the cylinder, and a fuel injector adapted to communicate with a source of fuel and operative to supply fuel under pressure to the discharge conduit at a pressure sufficient to open the valve in the discharge conduit and to mix pressure gas from the accumulation chamber with the fuel under pressure and discharge the resultant fuel

Abstract: A marine propulsion device including a gauge including a magnet supported for pivotal movement, a first wire coil adjacent the magnet and adapted to be connected to a power source, a second wire coil magnetically adjacent and in electrical connection with the first coil and adapted to be connected to ground, and a variable resistor in parallel electrical connection with the second coil.

Abstract: A control for adjusting the trim of a motor boat having a drive unit mounted on the boat for adjustment of the thrust angle relative to the boat. A trim motor adjusts the drive unit relative to the boat. A boat speed responsive pick up and control provides an output signal indicative of boat speed. A microprocessor controls the trim motor and is connected to receive the speed signals. The microprocessor reads boat speed at intervals and compares the latest speed reading with the prior reading to determine whether boat speed is increasing. The microprocessor commands the trim motor to move the drive unit in increments in one direction so long as each adjustment results in increasing speed and then to move the trim motor to adjust the drive unit in increments in the opposite direction so long as the adjustment results in increasing speed.