Abstract: The present invention is a correlator for use in spread spectrum applications which utilizing continuous-time analog domain signal processing. The correlator include a multiplier which is coupled to an integration capacitance, and an integration reset circuit which is coupled to the integration capacitance. The correlator is designed to receive a first input signal and a second input signal. The multiplier multiplies the first input signal and the second input signal to produce a multiplier output current. The multiplier output current is then integrated by the integration capacitance which produces a correlator output voltage. The integration reset circuit then reset the integration capacitance to a reset voltage.

Abstract: Exercise wheel having a shaft, a pair of axially spaced wheels mounted on the shaft for rolling engagement with a surface, handle means adapted to be grasped by an exerciser to roll the wheels along the surface away from a starting position, and resilient means connected between the wheels and the handle means for urging the device to return to the starting position. In one disclosed embodiment, the resilient means comprises clock springs mounted inside the wheels, and in another it comprises torsion springs positioned within the handles.

Abstract: An electrolyitic suppressor including (a) a suppressor bed of ion exchange resin, (b) an electrode chamber adjacent the suppressor, (c) a first electrode in the electrode chamber, (d) a barrier separating the suppressor bed from the first electrode chamber preventing significant liquid flow but permitting transport of ions only of the same charge as the suppressor bed resin, (e) a second electrode in electrical communication with the resin bed, and (f) a recycle conduit between the suppressor outlet port and said electrode chamber. The second electrode may be in contact with the ion exchange resin in the suppressor or located in second electrode chamber.

Abstract: A microsphere-based analytic chemistry system and method for making the same is disclosed in which microspheres or particles carrying bioactive agents may be combined randomly or in ordered fashion and dispersed on a substrate to form an array while maintaining the ability to identify the location of bioactive agents and particles within the array using an optically interrogatable, optical signature encoding scheme. A wide variety of modified substrates may be employed which provide either discrete or non-discrete sites for accommodating the microspheres in either random or patterned distributions. The substrates may be constructed from a variety of materials to form either two-dimensional or three-dimensional configurations. In a preferred embodiment, a modified fiber optic bundle or array is employed as a substrate to produce a high density array. The disclosed system and method have utility for detecting target analytes and screening large libraries of bioactive agents.

Abstract: A stamp assembly for use with an ink to create an image having an area on a surface of a workpiece. The stamp assembly comprises a handle member having a surface with an area at least approximating the area of the image. A flexible sheet-like embossing member is provided and has opposite first and second sides. The first side has a first side surface and the second side has an embossed portion with a substantially planar raised surface corresponding to the image. The first side of the embossing member is removably secured by interfacial tack to the surface of the handle member. The embossed portion is adapted to receive ink on the raised surface and the raised surface is adapted to thereafter engage the surface of the workpiece to form the image on the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for identifying antiviral agents which selectively interfere with viral proteins that override the interferon(IFN)-induced cellular defense mechanisms against viral infection. In particular, the present invention relates to screening assays that identify agents which selectively inhibit the interaction between viral proteins containing an interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR) and IFN-induced PKR protein kinase. The present invention more particularly relates to screening assays that identify agents which selectively inhibit the interaction between hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural 5A protein (NS5A), which contains an ISDR, and IFN-induced PKR protein kinase. The interaction between the viral ISDR and IFN-induced PKR protein kinase results in the override of IFN-induced cellular defense mechanisms to combat viral infection. Therefore the agents identified using the assays of the invention may have utility as antiviral agents.

Abstract: An article suitable for use as a biosensor includes a molecule of a formula X—R—Ch adhered to a surface of the article as part of a self-assembled monolayer. X is a functionality that adheres to the surface, R is a spacer moiety, and Ch is a chelating agent. A metal ion can be coordinated by the chelating agent, and a polyamino acid-tagged biological binding partner of a target biological molecule coordinated to the metal ion. A method of the invention involves bringing the article into contact with a medium containing or suspected of containing the target biological molecule and allowing the biological molecule to biologically bind to the binding partner. The article is useful particularly as a surface plasmon resonance chip.

Abstract: A machine for washing bottles has a conveyor which advances intermittently from station to station. The conveyor has a carriage extending transversely thereof formed to receive at least one inverted bottle. Full cone spray nozzles located above and below the bottles as they pass along the conveyor spray warmed detergent solution on the exteriors of the bottles at each station. High pressure or solid stream jet nozzles at each stage project a jet of water from below into the inverted open mouth of each bottle at the stage to thoroughly clean the interior of each bottle. To counterbalance the forces of the jets below, which tend to lift the bottles off the conveyor, a jet of fluid from above impacts the inverted bottom of each bottle.

Abstract: A connector for use with a printed circuit board having a plurality of traces extening to an array of interconnect holes. The connector includes a connector housing adapted for mounting to the printed circuit board in a position overlying the array of interconnect holes and at least one male connector means of an electrically conductive material carried by the male connector housing. The male connector means is formed from a unitary body having first and second blade members and first and second central members. Each of the first and second blade members extends in juxtaposition and has first and second ends. The first ends of the first and second blade members are joined together to form a forward end of the male connector means and the second ends of the first and second blade members are joined to respective first and second central members. The first and second central members are spaced apart and each has an end.

Abstract: A needle stick safety syringe includes a outer tubular protective cover or sleeve for the inner syringe body where a concentric coil spring is compressed against the normal flange of the inner syringe body and retained there by a stop which is cantilevered from a collar affixed to the distal end of the inner syringe body. This cantilevered stop also includes a convenient button which may be easily depressed by a finger of one hand holding the outer tubular body to allow the sleeve to be slid over the needle under the bias of the spring. The cantilevered button and stop rides in a groove in the inner diameter of the tubular outer protective body and is captured by a slot which effectively prevents reuse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting phase shift defects in a photomask is provided by scanning the photomask for the defect and determining locations of at least one defect. Following the determination of the location of a defect, the defect is three-dimensionally analyzed producing three-dimensional results. Utilizing the three-dimensional results, a focus ion beam (FIB) is directed onto the defect to eliminate the defect. The FIB is controlled by an etch map which is generated based on the three-dimensional results. To provide further precision to the repairing of the photomask, test patterns of the FIB are generated and three-dimensionally analyzed. The three-dimensional test pattern results are further utilized in generating the etch map to provide greater control to the FIB.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring a corrosion current density to determine a corrosion rate of a corroding system 130 using Electrochemical Frequency Modulation (EFM). In the method two sinusoidal signals 100, 105, having different frequencies are applied to a portion of the system 130 to distort a response current 120 in the system. Analysis of this current 120 generated in response to the applied perturbation signal 110 provides the corrosion rate and Tafel parameters of the system 130 without prior knowledge of the Tafel parameters. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus also provide a mechanism for validating the quality of the measured data used in calculating the corrosion rate and Tafel parameters.

Abstract: A method for providing cache coherency in a RAID system in which multiple RAID controllers provide read/write access to shared storage devices for multiple host computers. Each controller includes read, write and write mirror caches and the controllers and the shared storage devices are coupled to one another via common backend busses. Whenever a controller receives a write command from a host the controller writes the data to the shared devices, its write cache and the write mirror caches of the other controllers. Whenever a controller receives a read command from a host the controller attempts to return the requested data from its write mirror cache, write cache and read cache and the storage devices, in that order.

Abstract: A method for generating high purity acid or base in an aqueous stream for use in analysis. For generating a base for anion chromatography, the aqueous stream is directed through a cation exchange bed having strongly acid first and weakly acidic second portions. An electrical potential is applied to the bed. Cations on the bed electromigrate into the aqueous stream while hydroxide ions are electrolytically generated to form a base-containing eluent. Analytes to be detected and the generated eluent flow through a detector.

Abstract: A system and method for providing battery back-up of SDRAM data upon power failure in which a power-down event is detected early and system hardware configures SDRAM self-refresh circuitry to set the SDRAM to a self refresh mode in which the SDRAM issues a single-refresh command just before system power drops below a safe threshold level and keeps the SDRAM in self-refresh mode after the system power drops by holding low a SDRAM clock enable signal using battery power. One embodiment for use with an external SDRAM controller includes a self-refresh control module (SRCM) and a battery backup module (BBUM). The BBUM includes power-down detection hardware and a battery for backing-up the SDRAM. In response to signals from the external SDRAM controller and the BBUM the self-refresh module generates SDRAM control signals for transitioning the SDRAM smoothly from normal mode to self-refresh mode during power-down events and vice-versa.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for a genetic system of detecting protein-protein interactions in a mammalian host cell. Two fusion proteins are made in the host cell. The first fusion protein contains a DNA binding domain which is fused to a so-called bait protein. The second fusion protein consists of a transcriptional activation domain fused to a so-called test protein. The DNA binding domain binds to an operator sequence which controls expression of one or more reporter genes. The transcriptional activation domain is recruited to the promoter through the functional interaction between the bait protein and the test protein. Subsequently the transcriptional activation domain interacts with the basal transcription machinery to activate expression of one or more reporter genes which can be identified and characterized. The individual compositions are useful for analyzing protein-protein interactions between known proteins and to isolate, clone and characterize unknown proteins.

Abstract: Maximized multi-state compaction and more tolerance in memory state behavior is achieved through a flexible, self-consistent and self-adapting mode of detection, covering a wide dynamic range. For high density multi-state encoding, this approach borders on full analog treatment, dictating analog techniques including A to D type conversion to reconstruct and process the data. In accordance with the teachings of this invention, the memory array is read with high fidelity, not to provide actual final digital data, but rather to provide raw data accurately reflecting the analog storage state, which information is sent to a memory controller for analysis and detection of the actual final digital data.

Abstract: Contact bands for electrically connecting pluggable circuit breakers to ground and to distribution wires in a wiring system are housed in respective housings for protection. The housings are mounted on modular circuit breaker bus bar assemblies adapted to pluggably receive the pluggable circuit breakers, which have posts for pluggably engaging associated contact bands.