A device upon which a self-expanding stent may be crimped is utilized to safely load the self-expanding stent directly into a transfer tube or a delivery tube. The compounds, compositions, and methods of the invention are also useful for treating and preventing Alzheimer’s Disease, Syndrome X, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-related disorders, septicemia, thrombotic disorders, obesity, pancreatitis, hypertension, renal disease, cancer, inflammation, and impotence. % sugars, on dry matter basis, is obtained. The capacitor unit assembly includes multiple capacitor elements. When no stop member is installed, the valve member is sequentially moved from the full closed position, to the full open position, and then to the full closed position as the valve handle traverses a 180\xb0 arc. Additionally, the present invention describes methods for the diagnostic evaluation and prognosis of various cardiovascular diseases, and for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions.