Abstract: A signal sampling circuit receives a clock signal indicative of a sampling rate and a periodic input signal to produce a digitized sampled output signal. The sampled signal is applied to an all-pass filter having a single pole/zero pair in which the pole/zero values are determined by a number supplied by a number generator. The number generator varies the applied number in a random or pseudorandom fashion to create a correspondingly random or pseudorandom variation of the transfer function of the filter. The filtered sample signal is then further processed by an absolute value operator and an average value operator for application to an amplitude responsive device such as a meter. The random or pseudorandom variation of the filter transfer function introduces a corresponding random or pseudorandom variation of the phase shift imposed upon the sampled signal within the filter. This.

Abstract: An automatic watering device for use with a stationary water reservoir includes an elongated hollow housing fixedly positioned relative to the reservoir, an elongated pipe having a first end extending into the housing and an opposite second end connected to a source of water, and a water control valve disposed within the housing and connected to the first end of the pipe. The water control valve is adjustably positionable within the housing to correspondingly set a desired water level within the reservoir. The automatic watering device of the present invention is particularly useful for maintaining a supply of water in an animal watering trough since the water control valve is protected from abuse at all times by the protective housing.

Abstract: Ligands that interact with a target can be more easily identified if false positive interactions (either specific or non-specific) from the detecting system are differentiated from the target-specific interaction. An improved method of identifying peptides which bind with a target protein is presented. The steps are: binding a random library of peptides to a support material, allowing detection reagents to contact the peptides and the support material then identifying these interactions, then allowing the target protein to selectively bind to the peptides, allowing detection reagents to contact the bound target protein, and characterizing the peptide bound to the identified support material. Interaction of a ligand or the support material with the detection reagents will cause a distinct color change which distinguishes those ligands which selectively bind to target protein. The characterized peptide can then be used in affinity purification of the target protein.

Abstract: A biopsy needle device (10) is provided which includes an introducer cannula (20) defining a lumen (25) sized to receive a biopsy needle (11) therethrough and a lateral opening (24) in communication with the lumen (25) adjacent the first end (21) of the cannula (20). The invention also includes a solid tip (30) having an anatomically distal end (31) secured to the first end (21) of the cannula (20) and a proximal end (32) configured to pierce tissue. A ramp (35) is disposed within the cannula (20) at an end (36) of the lateral opening (24) adjacent the first end (21) of the cannula (20). The ramp (35) is inclined toward the lateral opening (24), whereby a biopsy needle (11) will be deflected through the lateral opening (24) as it advances within the lumen (25) and exits the cannula (20).

Abstract: An aquarium system includes an inlet reservoir, an aquarium tank defining a container for water in fluid communication with the inlet reservoir to receive water displaced from the inlet reservoir, an outlet reservoir in fluid communication with the tank for receiving water displaced from the tank, and a water treatment unit in fluid communication with the inlet reservoir and the outlet reservoir. The water treatment unit includes a rotatably supported media wheel which has a first hollow portion and a second portion carrying a water displacement media. The media is alternately submersible into and raisable out of water contained in the water treatment unit as the media wheel is rotated to displace water from the unit to the inlet reservoir, to thereby cycle water through the system. In one embodiment, the displacement media is a biological media. In another embodiment, the media wheel carries an algae screen on its perimeter.