Abstract: An active fishing lure comprising a body able to simulate some appearance and at least some movement of a bait species. The body is adapted for line attachment (directly or indirectly) and attachment to at least one hook. A battery is carried by the body and is connectable to a drive to cause at least some movement of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of a medically significant component of a biological fluid comprise providing a cell supporting a chemistry which reacts with the medically significant component. Placement of first and second terminals of the cell in contact with first and second terminals, respectively, of an instrument permits the instrument to assess the reaction. The instrument determines a first response of the cell to a first signal, and determines based upon the first response whether to proceed with the determination of the concentration of the medically significant component of the biological fluid. If the determination is to proceed, the instrument determines the type of sample that has been applied.

Abstract: A check valve is provided for stopping the reverse flow of fluid through a fluid-carrying conduit and includes a fluid dampening device to dampen the closing movement of the valve upon flow reversal. The fluid dampening device includes a member for containing a fluid that becomes compressed upon a reverse flow of fluid through a conduit that houses the check valve. As the check valve is forced by a reverse fluid flow in a reverse direction, fluid in the fluid dampening device becomes compressed and is permitted to slowly seep out of the fluid dampening device via fluid passageways that permit only the slow escape of fluid from a compressed fluid chamber.