Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out horizontal gel electrophoresis for separation and subsequent vacuum-assisted transportation of macromolecules to a support membrane to facilitate detection. The entire procedure is conducted in one cartridge. A method for conducting electrophoresis and subsequent vacuum assisted transfer using the apparatus of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved geodesic dome connector of the paired-opposed-arm type with "swept-back arms", angled axially with respect to the central portion, has a central portion in the form of a cylindrical tube; respective adjacent arms of different pairs join the central portion in close proximity to each other preferably, and preferably also have conical taper on the axial ends of the central member, convex on the outer end and concave on the inner end, for fairing-in sheathing applied on the outer and inner faces by attachment to respective elongate members held between the pairs of arms.

Abstract: A sequential 20-port automatic smoking machine performing calibrated volume smoking of cigarettes is disclosed. The machine sequentially smokes 20 cigarettes for the collection and laboratory analysis of particulate matter and gas content of the cigarette smoke. Sequential smoking is accomplished by having each station take a 2-second puff every 3 seconds, yielding a 60-second cycle of time between puffs at each station. Control is electronic, utilizing solid-stage counters. Smoking syringes are individually operated by hydraulic cylinders in an even/odd arrangement of master drive cylinders both served by a common fluid reservoir. The master cylinders are disposed on opposite sides of the single crank system such that two halves are driven 180.degree. out of phase. Gas lines connecting individual cigarette ports to the analyzers are purged with room air between each puff delivered to the respective analyzers.