Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a panel of cells (i.e. a cell library) expressing various different mutant variants of a protein of interest, wherein only one of said mutant variants is expressed per cell from a single gene copy. The present invention also relates to a method or cell library for identifying a mutant variant of a protein of interest having a different or modified biological activity as compared to the corresponding wild-type protein of interest. According to the present invention the identified mutant variant of a protein of interest may be applied for white biotechnology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a panel of cells (i.e. a cell library) expressing various different mutant variants of a protein of interest, wherein only one of said mutant variants is expressed per cell from a single gene copy. The present invention also relates to a method or cell library for identifying a mutant variant of a protein of interest having a different or modified biological activity as compared to the corresponding wild-type protein of interest. According to the present invention the identified mutant variant of a protein of interest may be applied for white biotechnology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thread control method of a multi-thread virtual pipeline (MVP) processor, which comprises the following steps: allocating directly and sequentially threads in a central processing unit (CPU) thread operation queue to multi-path parallel hardware thread time slots of the MVP processor for operation; allowing an operating thread to generate hardware thread call instructions corresponding thereto to a hardware thread management unit; allowing the hardware thread management unit to enable the call instructions of ithread threads to form a program queue according to receiving time, and calling and preparing the hardware threads; and allowing the hardware threads to operate sequentially in idle multi-path parallel hardware thread time slots of the MVP processor according to the sequence of the hardware threads in the queue of the hardware thread management unit. The present invention also relates to a processor.

Abstract: A hierarchical programmable-priority content addressable memory (CAM) system including first, second and third CAM devices. The first CAM device has a first priority number output and a first enable input. The second CAM device has a priority number input and an enable output coupled to the priority number output and the first enable input, respectively, of the first CAM device. The second CAM device also has a priority number output and an enable input. The third CAM device has a priority number input and an enable output coupled to the priority number output and the enable input, respectively, of the second CAM device.

Abstract: A shipping redirection interface allows a seller to change the destination address while a package is in-transit. The seller orders a product from a low-cost overseas factory, inputs the seller's address as an initial destination and begins shipment on a slow container ship. A schedule generator calculates an optimistic estimate of the package's arrival at the intermediate hub that redirects the package so the seller can plan when to redirect. While the product is slowly crossing an ocean on the ship, the seller may sell the product to a buyer such as through an online auction. The seller enters the buyer's address as the new destination address and redirects the product at the intermediate hub after the product is unloaded from the ship. The delay from sale to the buyer until the buyer receives the product is reduced without warehousing the product. Unsold products are delivered to the seller.

Abstract: An Internet search engine ranks search results based on popularity with mobile-device users. Geo-position data from cell phones and other mobile devices are collected into a device geo-position database. The geo-position data is compared to locations of businesses in a business database. When a mobile device's geo-position moves inside a business location, a traffic counter for that business location in the business database is updated. When an Internet user performs a local search, the result set is sorted based on a rank that is at least partially determined by the traffic counters. The popularity-ranked search results indicate which businesses received the most mobile-device visits, an indication of the business's overall popularity. The popularity ranking may be adjusted for business size by dividing the traffic counter by the square footage of the business and sorting the result set based on the mobile-device visits, or repeat visits, per square foot.

Abstract: A system and methodology is provided for resetting a pin layer within a GMR/Spin-Valve head. The system includes a preamplifier to at least one of read, write, and bias a GMR head having a pin layer. A pin layer reset circuit generates a programmable signal to reset the pin layer, wherein the programmable signal is adjustable according to at least one of a signal magnitude, signal polarity, signal pulse duration, and signal duty cycle. The programmable signal can include a voltage and and/or current.

Abstract: An semi-solid mixture, such as a particulate meat mixture, is brought into contact with a vibrating surface, whereby energy is transported across the surface into the mixture. The vibration is generally contemplated to be in the ultrasonic frequency range, and the energy injection is contemplated to be sufficient to cause local physical and chemical changes in mixtures susceptible to such changes, and generally to cause changes in the direction of increased tensile strength and resistance to flow. In general a skin is formed on the mixture, and with greater processing efficiency then if such skin were formed by purely thermal means.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for monitoring a read channel in a disk drive system and calibrating the disk drive system. A comparator is provided to detect the data samples that fall within a pre-programmed distribution window from a number of sectors in each zone of a disk. The output of a comparator is digitized and sent to a logic block to qualify the valid samples. A relative counter or histogram of the detected data samples is obtained. The valid sample count is fed to a n-bit counter that can be accessed via a serial port. The channel parameters can be adjusted based upon a relative figure of merit read off the serial port that reflects the distribution of the samples with respect to the target value after processing a statistically valid number of samples. After the initial calibration, the invention can be switched to count the number of invalid samples that fall outside the distribution window.

Abstract: A system for measuring and analyzing an image of a gel electrophoresis, includes measuring apparatus and a processor. The measuring apparatus includes a frame mountable in a fixed location relative to the image, including a bar extending along a first axis, a carriage coupled to the bar and slidable along the first axis, an alignment device extending transversely from the carriage along a second axis for aligning selected components of the image, and a distance sensor operatively coupled to the carriage for sensing the distance travelling by the carriage and generating distance signals. The processor is operatively coupled to the measuring apparatus and processes the distance signals and generates maps based thereon. The subject system is well suited for constructing restriction enzyme maps for an image of bands created by subjecting DNA to gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: A handle assembly of a medical instrument has a handle with an axis extending from a proximal end of the instrument toward a distal end thereof; and an electrical circuit incorporated at least partially in the handle for controlling an application of an action to a patient via the medical instrument. The circuit has a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact each projecting from a surface of the handle. The electrical contacts are spaced from one another. An actuator ring is slidably disposed on the handle and surrounding the same for motion in alternately opposite directions along the handle under the control of an operator. A bridging electrical contact is disposed on the ring for conductively connecting the first and second electrical contacts at a first predetermined longitudinal position of the ring along the handle, thereby closing the circuit at that position of the ring, and for opening the circuit at another longitudinal position of the ring along the handle.

Abstract: An ultrasonic atomizer device comprises an elongate body member having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate body member being provided at least along a distal segment with a longitudinally extending liquid guide channel. The body member is further provided at its distal end with a radially enlarged head and at least one orifice communicating with the channel at a distal end thereof, the orifice extending to an atomizing surface disposed externally to the body in a recess on a proximal side of the head. The body is also provided with means for forming an operative connection with a source of ultrasonic vibrations.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter employing a reference resistor ladder is disclosed for quantizing a differential analog input signal into quantization levels and converting each level into binary output code and requiring comparators having only two inputs. The converter receives positive and negative portions of a differential analog input signal. A first resistive network having a plurality of resistors of equal resistance spreads the negative input portion of the signal to thereby provide a plurality of comparison signals. A second resistive network, likewise having a plurality of resistors of equal resistance being coupled in series spreads the positive input portion of the signal to thereby provide a second plurality of comparison signals. A plurality of two-input comparators are provided to compare the comparison signals provided by the first resistive network with the comparison signals of the second resistive network.

Abstract: An inertia force generating device comprises two pairs of coaxial counterrotating eccentric rotors, whose rotational speeds and relative positons are automatically and continuously controlled so as to cancel undesirable vibrations produced by another device. Within each rotor pair, the two rotors have an adjustable angle between their mass centers, so that the effective eccentricity of the pair can be varied, and the phase between the two pairs can also be changed, to alter the direction of the maximum or minimum inertial forces developed. The four rotors include shells of different diameter, nested together on a center plane of the device, or parallel plates configured to maintain a minimum spread of mass centers along the rotational axis.