Abstract: The invention relates to transmembrane protein pore for use in detecting a analyte in a sample. The pore comprises a molecular adaptor that facilitates an interaction between the pore and the analyte. The adaptor is covalently attached to the pore in an orientation that allows the analyte to be detected using the pore.

Abstract: A method of delivering a molecule, such as a membrane protein, to a lipid bilayer uses a probe capable of holding the molecule on a carrier surface thereof. The molecule is deposited on the carrier surface and the probe is moved to engage the carrier surface against the lipid bilayer. The carrier surface may be the surface of a drop of hydrogel which adsorbs the molecule. The molecule may be a membrane protein which is thus inserted into the lipid bilayer. The method is fast and simple to perform thereby allowing high throughput experimentation.

Abstract: A handle assembly includes a mounting bracket and a handle. The mounting bracket supports the handle which can pivot relative to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes first and second mounting elements which prevent the handle from rotating more than approximately ninety degrees relative to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A tool is provided into which a saw blade can be mounted and removed therefrom. The tool includes a housing have a groove therein. An attachment assembly is mounted in the groove and can be slid within the groove. The attachment assembly includes a first part, a second part, and a member attaching the parts together, while allowing the parts to move relative to each other. The saw blade is inserted between the first and second parts and is removable therefrom. A spring retainer is affixed within the housing. The attachment assembly is moveable within the housing to abut against the spring retainer. When the attachment assembly abuts the spring retainer, the second parts can be moved out of engagement with each other to allow the removal of the saw blade from therebetween.

Abstract: A container adapted to receive an inner receptacle is provided. The container includes a base for supporting a lower portion of the inner receptacle, where the base includes a peripheral frame portion defining at least one relatively large opening therebetween. A first pair of opposed walls extends upwardly from the peripheral frame portion, and a second pair of opposed walls extends upwardly from the peripheral frame portion and is attached to the first pair of opposed walls. As assembled, the first and second pairs of opposed walls and the base define a compartment area for receiving the inner receptacle therein.

Abstract: A method for reducing computational steps in a digital processor including multiplications producing a plurality of multiplication products. This method specifies a desired multiplication function to be implemented in a digital processor, the desired multiplication function having a respective set of initial coefficients corresponding to each digital multiplier stage of the multiplication function. An initial total number of non-zero bits of the initial coefficients is determined and the initial coefficients are modified. Further, a resulting number of non-zero bits in the modified set of coefficients is quantified. Finally, the modified set of coefficients that result in a reduced number of non-zero bits as compared to the initial coefficients is chosen. The new modified coefficients are implemented in the device by constructing the digital multiplier stages with the modified coefficients.

Abstract: A handle assembly includes a mounting bracket and a handle. The mounting bracket supports the handle which can pivot relative to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes first and second mounting elements which prevent the handle from rotating more than approximately ninety degrees relative to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A method for reducing computational steps in a digital processor including multiplications producing a plurality of multiplication products. This method specifies a desired multiplication function to be implemented in a digital processor, the desired multiplication function having a respective set of initial coefficients corresponding to each digital multiplier stage of the multiplication function. An initial total number of non-zero bits of the initial coefficients is determined and the initial coefficients are modified. Further, a resulting number of non-zero bits in the modified set of coefficients is quantified. Finally, the modified set of coefficients that result in a reduced number of non-zero bits as compared to the initial coefficients is chosen. The new modified coefficients are implemented in the device by constructing the digital multiplier stages with the modified coefficients.

Abstract: An arbitration and synchronization method and system for allowing multiple processors to access a shared memory includes an arbitrator. The arbitrator is operable with the processors for enabling each of the processors exclusive access to the memory for a predetermined time period on a rotating basis. In operation, a time period of a time frame is associated with each of the processors. The time periods of the time frame are then counted. The arbitrator then enables a processor to have exclusive access to the shared memory for the time period associated with the processor when the counted time period is the time period associated with the processor.

Abstract: A digital signal processing architecture for an audio system combines multiple functions in programmable and reconfigurable blocks to achieve an efficient use of hardware and chip area. AM, FM, and audio functions can be performed using the same reconfigurable hardware while taking into account the different sample rates and processing functions required for each.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for machining flat or planarizing a fire deck of a bimetallic engine block includes providing a grinding wheel by disposing a series of abrasive inserts at spaced locations along a circumference of a circular head, so that during rotation of the head, the inserts form a notional annular grinding ring. The head is preferably a conventional milling head and the inserts are sized and shaped to fit within receptacles adapted to receive conventional milling inserts. In an alternate embodiment, a second series of abrasive inserts may be disposed radially inward of the first series of inserts to form an inner notional annular grinding ring disposed concentrically with the outer ring. Inner and outer inserts preferably comprise a single layer of diamond abrasive brazed onto a metallic substrate.

Abstract: A grinding wheel is provided for grinding the fire deck of an engine block. The grinding wheel, includes a first annular grinding element disposed concentrically with the wheel on a backing plate. The first annular grinding element includes a first abrasive component of either metal brazed single layer abrasive components or abrasive components comprising grain bonded in a porous matrix having about 55 to 80 volume percent interconnected porosity. The wheel preferably has a second annular grinding element disposed concentrically inward of the first annular grinding element. The first annular grinding element preferably comprises a single layer of relatively course diamond abrasive component brazed on a metallic substrate, while the second annular grinding element preferably comprises a single layer of relatively fine diamond abrasive components brazed on a similar substrate.

Abstract: A carrier-based signal is received from a tuner and is digitized to produce a digital intermediate frequency (IF) signal. Automatic gain control is applied to the carrier-based signal either prior to or after digitization. An adaptive intermediate frequency bandwidth control system detects IF signal level after channel filtering. The level is compared to a predetermined threshold having a value related to the known signal level of the AGC'ed signal which is being input to the channel filter in order to provide a measure of either 1) the presence of interfering adjacent channels, or 2) reception or a weak signal which can't be compensated for by AGC. The IF bandwidth is narrowed in either circumstance. Digital FIR or IIR filtering is used. The invention allows bandwidth switching to be done very quickly with minimal transient effects. A threshold value is selected depending upon the IF channel bandwidth being used at any given time.

Abstract: An adaptive intermediate frequency bandwidth control system detects IF signal levels both before and after channel filtering. The two levels are compared to provide a measure of the presence of interfering adjacent channels. This measure is compared to a programmable threshold and the IF bandwidth is narrowed if any interferers are detected. Digital FIR or IIR filtering is used. The invention allows bandwidth switching to be done very quickly with minimal transient effects. A difference threshold is selected depending upon the IF channel bandwidth being used at any given time.

Abstract: An abrasive tool includes a steel core having at least one cutting face which is knurled to provide a uniform texture of recesses of predetermined size. A single layer of abrasive grain such as diamond, synthetic diamond, and/or cubic boron nitride having a grit size which is less than the predetermined size of the recesses is brazed onto the cutting face so that the single layer of abrasive grain follows the texture of the cutting face to facilitate coolant and swarf transport for improved tool life, power consumption and workpiece surface finish.

Abstract: A reusable container assembly is provided which comprises a substantially rectangular open-top container particularly adapted to receive a fluid-containing bag. The container is lidded to thereby enclose the contents of the container assembly. A side wall aperture receives the spout of a fluid-containing bag disposed within the container assembly. The container assembly is further made tamper evident.

Abstract: A method is provided for machining the fire deck of an engine block. The method includes providing a grinding wheel having an outer annular grinding element disposed concentrically or the wheel may be provided with an inner annular grinding element disposed concentrically inward of an outer element. The outer element comprises a single layer of relatively coarse diamond abrasive brazed on a metallic substrate, while the inner element comprises a single layer of relatively fine diamond abrasive brazed on a similar substrate. The outer grinding element and the inner element if utilized, is formed as a discrete unit individually fastened to a backing plate to facilitate independent height adjustment of the elements relative the backing plate. The method further comprises orienting the grinding wheel with its axis of rotation at a predetermined oblique angle a relative the fire deck.

Abstract: The stackable low depth bottle case of the present invention includes four side walls and a bottom portion. A plurality of upwardly projecting hollow columns extend upwardly within the side walls. The columns, walls, and bottom portion define a plurality of bottle retaining pockets. The bottle retaining pockets have flat surfaces to permit retention of bottles without base indentations and to permit rotation of petaloid bottles. The columns extend upwardly from the base portion a distance approximately one third of the height of the bottles to be retained. The columns may be hollow to permit empty cases to stack top to bottom. The lower surface of the bottom portion has circular concave portions with central retaining openings to facilitate stacking of loaded cases top to bottom. When a case is disposed on a lower filled case, the bottle tops of the lower case are guided toward the central retaining openings by the circular concave portions.