Abstract: Biosensors including a nucleic acid encoding a PcaU protein, a PobR protein, a CatM protein, a PcaR protein, or a TphR protein are provided. In some examples, the biosensors include a promoter regulated by the sensed molecule operably linked to a reporter gene. The biosensors may be included in a vector or in cells including one or more of the biosensors or vectors. Modified chorismate pyruvate lyase (UbiC) and modified paraoxonase (PON1) proteins including one or more amino acid substitutions are provided. Finally, methods of selecting biocatalysts with increased activity including transforming a library of cells expressing a biosensor with one or more nucleic acids encoding one or more mutations in a gene involved in a biosynthesis pathway, determining activity of the reporter protein; and selecting a cell with increased reporter protein activity as expressing a biocatalyst with increased activity are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved methods for controlled cyclization of peptoid dimers to form N,N?-2,5-diketopiperazines (N,N?-2,5-DKPs) with significant selectivity. In at least some examples, selectivity is based on a serendipitous conglomeration of slow exchange of amide rotamers, steric repulsion from the degree of ?-substitution, and the geometric bulk of an amine nucleophile. By varying reaction conditions, the selectivity of the reaction and formation of a particular N,N?-2,5-DKP can be switched. The cyclization works in the presence of a variety of protection groups and diverse functionalities. The teachings herein provide techniques for synthesizing N,N?-2,5-DKPs that can be readily docked with drug candidates for shuttling across the blood brain barrier. This method provides a facile way to produce substituted DKPs containing groups ready for post-modification to include docking drug candidates.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved methods for controlled cyclization of peptoid dimers to form N,N?-2,5-diketopiperazines (N,N?-2,5-DKPs) with significant selectivity. In at least some examples, selectivity is based on a serendipitous conglomeration of slow exchange of amide rotamers, steric repulsion from the degree of ?-substitution, and the geometric bulk of an amine nucleophile. By varying reaction conditions, the selectivity of the reaction and formation of a particular N,N?-2,5-DKP can be switched. The cyclization works in the presence of a variety of protection groups and diverse functionalities. The teachings herein provide techniques for synthesizing N,N?-2,5-DKPs that can be readily docked with drug candidates for shuttling across the blood brain barrier. This method provides a facile way to produce substituted DKPs containing groups ready for post-modification to include docking drug candidates.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, includes a fuselage having a forward end, an aft end, and a duct extending between said forward end and said aft end, said duct being oriented along a longitudinal axis of said fuselage; a primary propulsion unit mounted within said duct and generating lift for upward and downward motion while said fuselage is in a substantially vertical orientation and thrust for forward motion while said fuselage is in a substantially horizontal orientation; a plurality of airfoils each having a proximal end attached at opposite sides of the fuselage, said airfoils providing lift during forward motion of said fuselage; and a plurality of secondary propulsion units generating thrust to tilt the fuselage between said substantially vertical orientation and said substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of identifying polymers having particular biological or physical characteristics from in vivo generated libraries of polymers. Methods of generating in vivo polymer libraries are also described. Polymers identified using the methods of the invention are also described.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for power management.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wireless device having two or more antennas. The wireless device substantially concurrently determines (a) using a first antenna, whether a first communications service is available for data transfer, and (b) using a second antenna, whether a second communications service is available for data transfer. After determining that at least one communications service is available for data transfer, the wireless device uses both antennas to transfer data using a selected communications service.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for power management are disclosed herein. For example, a modular, adaptive power management system for use in a hard disk drive system is disclosed. This modular, adaptive power management system includes a hard disk drive controller, a read channel module, a host interface controller and a power manager system. The hard disk controller includes a processor executing firmware, and the host interface controller provides for host access via a host interface. The host interface may be, for example, an ATA interface, a SATA interface, and/or other emerging serial interfaces such as MMC, CE-ATA or SDIO. The power manager system includes a power island register and an oscillation control register. Both the power island register and the oscillation control register are each at least indirectly writable via the firmware and via the host interface.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for power management are disclosed herein. For example, a synchronous semiconductor circuit is disclosed that includes two or more clock sources and a power management controller. The power management controller is operable to apply power to one of the clock sources and to select another of the clock sources for synchronization of the circuit. Then, upon stabilization of the first clock source, it is selected by the power management controller to synchronize the circuit.

Abstract: Several system diagnostic and network management tools are disclosed that, as a primary goal, support the consumer's ability to self diagnose and solve an existing problem. A non-intrusive diagnostic tool is provided that exposes system parameters of a consumer system for remote analysis by qualified personnel. Important data parameters of a given radio receiver are preferably predetermined and gathered directly at the receiver. Then, they are uploaded via the Internet from a removable memory placed into an Internet terminal (e.g., PC), or through a temporary docking station connected to an Internet terminal. This leads toward quick and efficient problem resolution with a properly informed customer service representative that is crucial to enriching the consumer's experience. The data collected relating to relevant system parameters may be used by service providers to enhance or even in some cases enable services.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) system assigns a first priority level to a first USB endpoint and a second priority level that is lower than the first priority level to a second USB endpoint. The USB system has memory that stores first USB data packets corresponding to the first priority level and second USB data packets corresponding to the second priority level. The USB system also has a controller that manages transfers of (i) the first USB data packets to the first USB endpoint and (ii) the second USB data packets to the second USB endpoint. If the memory concurrently stores first and second USB data packets, then the controller determines an order for transferring the first and second USB data packets based on the second priority level being lower than the first priority level and/or detection of a starvation condition for the second endpoint.

Abstract: Remote analysis method and system for Home Phoneline Networks (HPNs), i.e., local area networks made up of telephone wiring in residential premises. In such a network connected to the Internet, a host computer collects measurements of the frequency response of the local network as well as values of addresses and other important network parameters of devices also located on the local network. The results of this data collection, having been sent via the Internet, may be displayed within a web browser on a remote computer external to the local network in a web. This data can then be monitored conveniently by a service technician or the like at any location.

Abstract: Method and system of video on demand (VOD) dating. The method and system permitting a user to select video personals for on demand view. The video personal include recordings of individual interviews or other activities which may be used to introduce the individual to the user and/or to otherwise facilitate dating.

Abstract: An emesis bag. A liquid-tight, tubular body portion defining a tubular axis and formed of one or more sheets of a plastic sheeting material is provided. The body portion has a first end through which the tubular axis passes, the first end defining a first opening into the body portion. The first end includes a “ziplock” seal for sealing the first opening, the ziplock seal having permanently joined ends that lie substantially along two opposed seams of the bag. The body portion has two sides extending between the two seams. The bag further includes at least two stay elements. One of the stay elements is disposed at the first end of the body portion on one of the sides and the other is disposed at the first end on the other of the sides. The stay elements extend on both sides of the tubular axis and terminate short of the seams. Each of the stay elements includes at least one metal strip.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for power management are disclosed herein. For example, a synchronous semiconductor circuit is disclosed that includes two or more clock sources and a power management controller. The power management controller is operable to apply power to one of the clock sources and to select another of the clock sources for synchronization of the circuit. Then, upon stabilization of the first clock source, it is selected by the power management controller to synchronize the circuit.

Abstract: A modular, adaptive power management system includes a hard disk drive controller, a read channel module, a host interface controller and a power manager system. The hard disk controller includes a processor executing firmware, and the host interface controller provides for host access via a host interface. The system includes a power island register and an oscillation control register. Both registers are writable via the firmware and via the host interface. The hard disk controller, the interface controller, the read channel module and the power manager system are implemented across two or more distinct power islands and use two or more distinct clocks. Power to the two or more distinct power islands is at least in part controlled by the power manager system via the power island register, and the two or more distinct clocks are each controlled by the power manager system via the oscillation control register.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for power management are disclosed herein. For example, a synchronous semiconductor circuit is disclosed that includes two or more clock sources and a power management controller. The power management controller is operable to apply power to one of the clock sources and to select another of the clock sources for synchronization of the circuit. Then, upon stabilization of the first clock source, it is selected by the power management controller to synchronize the circuit.

Abstract: The effects of power supply resistance and internal resistance drop are measured at any time in the interior or other strategic areas of an IC device during steady-state operation, and the results of managed internal voltage regulation are fed back from at least one point, but preferably from several or more points throughout the power grid of the IC. Thus, stability of voltage regulation on an IC including at least one integrated voltage regulator is dynamically controlled with voltage regulation that is managed to effectively provide a ‘secondary’ voltage regulation of the output of one or more voltage regulators to provide a desired voltage output result on one or more portions of a power grid. The management may be implemented in an IC having a singular power grid with respect to a particular supply voltage, or in an IC having multiple power grid structures (e.g., one in each quadrant, etc.).

Abstract: A system and method, associated with a receiver, for increasing the range or bandwidth of a wireless digital communication network and a receiver incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a service class detector configured to determine a service class of a PDU received by the receiver from the wireless digital communication network and (2) a frame check sequence checker coupled to the service class detector and configured to disregard error-checking information in the PDU when the service class indicates that the PDU is a streaming media PDU.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) system assigns a first priority level to a first USB endpoint and a second priority level that is lower than the first priority level to a second USB endpoint. The USB system has memory that stores first USB data packets corresponding to the first priority level and second USB data packets corresponding to the second priority level. The USB system also has a controller that manages transfers of (i) the first USB data packets to the first USB endpoint and (ii) the second USB data packets to the second USB endpoint. If the memory concurrently stores first and second USB data packets, then the controller determines an order for transferring the first and second USB data packets based on the second priority level being lower than the first priority level and/or detection of a starvation condition for the second endpoint.