Abstract: Disclosed is a network apparatus and associated method configured to form a network of operative devices using, in a main embodiment, powerlines as the network medium. The network medium provides for communication of data between operative devices. The network apparatus comprises plural network node apparatus, each of which comprise a network connector and an operative device connector. At least one of the network node apparatus also comprises a power saving apparatus which provides less power to operative parts of the network node apparatus itself and the operative device to which the network node apparatus is attached during a second operating condition than when in a first operating condition, thereby providing for reduced power consumption in the second operating condition.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is described which makes use of a pulsed flow pump to draw gas through an ion filter in pulsed operation. A gas counterflow may also be provided, in some embodiments this may also be a pulsed counterflow.

Abstract: A powerline communications device comprises a powerline communications interface and at least one other communications interface configured to communicate over a computing network. The powerline communications interface is further configured to receive electrical power. The computing network may comprise mediums including powerlines, telephone lines, and/or coaxial cables. In some embodiments, the powerline communications interface may communicate with a network apparatus, such as a personal computer, via an Ethernet interface. The powerline interface, the telephone line interface, and/or the coaxial cable interface may all be associated with the same media access control (MAC) address. The powerline communications device may receive a message via a first medium and repeat the message via a second medium based on a quality of service (QoS) metric. In some embodiments, the powerline communications device may communicate using multiple frequency bands.

Abstract: A crystal comprising human isoglutaminyl cyclase having a characterised space group of P1211 and unit cell dimensions of +/?5% of a=126.51 ?, b=109.68 ?, c=159.53 ?, ?=90.0°, ?=104.9° and ?=90.0°.

Abstract: A novel crystal structures of human and murine glutaminyl cyclase (QC, EC 2.3.2.5), methods of preparing the crystals, as well as the use of said crystal structures for identifying inhibitors of human and murine glutaminyl cyclase.

Abstract: A communications device includes a wireless communications interface, a power line carrier (PLC) communications interface, and processing circuitry coupled to the wireless communications interface and to the PLC communications interface. The processing circuitry, in combination with at least one of the wireless communications interface and the PLC communications interface is operable to send a request for wireless communications interface operational parameters via the PLC communications interface, receive a response via the PLC communications interface, the response including wireless communications interface operational parameters corresponding to a wireless network, and configure wireless communications interface based upon response. In another operation, the processing circuitry is operable to listen for transmissions of at least one Wireless Access Point (WAP) of the wireless network.

Abstract: A communications device includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit includes a wired medium interface circuit that is configured to, in use, communicate data over a wired medium. The second circuit includes a wireless medium interface circuit that is configured to, in use, communicate data over a wireless medium. A destination address controller is included in the first circuit and is operative to determine to which of a plurality of destination addresses at a communications device data is to be communicated from the second circuit. The communications device can have individual visibility of a plurality of destination addresses (e.g. for respective devices) when data is received or transmitted by the wireless medium interface circuit (second circuit).

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is described which makes use of a pulsed flow pump to draw gas through an ion filter in pulsed operation. A gas counterflow may also be provided, in some embodiments this may also be a pulsed counterflow.

Abstract: EZ-Mark Picture Hanging Marker consists of a head that has an adhesive coating on one side and a marking device, like a pin or marker on the other side. On the other side of the marking device is an encasement sleeve that protrudes further than the marker. The adhesive coating of the head is attached to the back of a picture frame or other object that needs hanging. Once the adhesive coating or other attachment mechanism is put in place, the frame may be moved along the wall into the desired location of hanging. The EZ-Hang Picture Hanging Marker user is then able to mark the desired location of where they would like to place their nail by pressing on the picture frame or hanging instrument. Only when significant force is applied to the picture frame, does a marking device protrude from EZ-Hang's encasement sleeve and mark the wall.

Abstract: The invention provides an ion pump to be used for selectively transferring ionised molecules across a barrier from a first volume to a second volume. The pump comprises an ion gate or filter separating the two volumes, the filter comprising at least one ion channel extending between the first and second spaces, the channel defined by a plurality of conductive layers separated along the length of the channel by at least one non-conductive layer; the device further comprising control means for applying an electric potential to the conductive layers such that the conductive layers act as electrodes. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods for selectively transferring ions.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is described having an ion filter in the form of at least one ion channel having a plurality of electrodes. A time-varying electric potential applied to the conductive layers allows the filler to selectively admit ion species. The electric potential has a drive and a transverse component, and in preferred embodiments each of the electrodes is involved in generating a component of both the drive and transverse fields. The device may be used without a drift gas flow. Microfabrication techniques are described for producing microscale spectrometers, as are various uses of the spectrometer.

Abstract: A network repeater is configured to repeat data packets in a broadcast mode without generating a significant broadcast storm. The network repeater is configured to detect a characteristic of a received data packet. The data packet characteristic is compared with valid copies of packet characteristics previously stored in a packet registry. During a delay period, if a valid copy of the detected characteristic is found in the packet registry, then it is assumed that the packet is being received for the second time and the data packet is not repeated in the broadcast mode. If a valid copy of the detected characteristic of the data packet is not found in the packet registry, then the characteristic is stored in the packet registry and the data packet is repeated in a broadcast mode.

Abstract: A network repeater is configured to repeat data packets in a broadcast mode without generating a significant broadcast storm. The network repeater is configured to detect a characteristic of a received data packet. The data packet characteristic is compared with valid copies of packet characteristics previously stored in a packet registry. During a delay period, if a valid copy of the detected characteristic is found in the packet registry, then it is assumed that the packet is being received for the second time and the data packet is not repeated in the broadcast mode. If a valid copy of the detected characteristic of the data packet is not found in the packet registry, then the characteristic is stored in the packet registry and the data packet is repeated in a broadcast mode.

Abstract: A smart FAIMS sensor system and method includes a 2/2-electrode filter that pumps the ions through the system and separates the ionic species, a detector for collecting the separated ions and generating a detector signal in response to the collected ions, and a controller configured to change the operating parameters of the system in response to changes in the sensor's environment detected by the sensor. The ability to dynamically change the operating parameters of the sensor enables the sensor to maintain high sensitivity to environmental threats while decreasing the incidences of false positive events.

Abstract: A smart FAIMS sensor system and method includes a 2/2-electrode filter that pumps the ions through the system and separates the ionic species, a detector for collecting the separated ions and generating a detector signal in response to the collected ions, and a controller configured to change the operating parameters of the system in response to changes in the sensor's environment detected by the sensor. The ability to dynamically change the operating parameters of the sensor enables the sensor to maintain high sensitivity to environmental threats while decreasing the incidences of false positive events.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is described having an ion filter in the form of at least one ion channel having a plurality of electrodes. A time-varying electric potential applied to the conductive layers allows the filler to selectively admit ion species. The electric potential has a drive and a transverse component, and in preferred embodiments each of the electrodes is involved in generating a component of both the drive and transverse fields. The device may be used without a drift gas flow, Microfabrication techniques are described for producing microscale spectrometers, as are various uses of the spectrometer.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel methods of incorporating nanotubes for use in micro- or nano-devices. The invention further relates to incorporating nanotubes in micro or nano-devices and particularly synthesizing or growing nanotubes directly in or on components of a micro- or nano-device. In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to methods of synthesizing or growing nanotubes in a gas chromatography column and their use in portable gas chromatography devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ion drive for selectively isolating an analyte of interest and methods of use thereof. The ion drive includes a substrate with channels therethrough, a conductive material coating on the bottom and top of the substrate, a top electrical lead connected to the conductive material coating covering the top of the substrate, and a bottom electrical lead connected to the conductive material coating covering the bottom of the substrate. The invention further relates to an odor emitter which is made up of an ion drive mounted towards the top of a vessel.

Abstract: A road surface scanning device and method for scanning a section of road in order to acquire road surface data, which in turn can be used to create a mathematical model of the road. In one embodiment, the road surface scanning device includes a frame, a carriage movably mounted to the frame, a scanner movably mounted to the carriage, and a pair of electric actuators that can move the scanner across the road surface. Information from adjacent scanner passes are electronically stitched together and, in a similar manner, information from adjacent surface segments are electronically joined to form a mathematical model of the road. Various techniques can then be used to process the road surface data and prepare it for use by other software applications.

Abstract: A compact ionization source includes first and second electrodes, each having a plurality of fingers that are interdigitated with each other. The spacing between the first and second electrode, preferably less than 1 mm, creates a large electric field when a potential is applied across the first and second electrodes. The large electric field creates an ionization volume between the fingers of the first and second electrode and ionizes a portion of the molecules occupying the ionization volume. The interdigitated fingers of the first and second electrodes allow for a narrow gap separating the electrodes while presenting a large flow area for ionizing molecules for downstream analysis.