Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a harmonic response in an electronic circuit is provided. The apparatus includes an RF input configured to provide a first signal operating at a radio frequency. The apparatus includes a local oscillator configured to produce a second signal operating at a local oscillator (LO) frequency. The apparatus includes a switching mixer configured to mix the first and second signals. The apparatus includes a notch filter comprising an inductor and a capacitor connected in parallel. The notch filter is directly coupled to an input of the switching mixer in series. The notch filter is tuned such that its resonant frequency is a harmonic of the LO frequency signal. In an aspect, the apparatus also includes a transformer configured to provide the first signal. In an aspect the apparatus also includes a second notch filter comprising a second inductor and a second capacitor connected in parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a harmonic response in an electronic circuit is provided. The apparatus includes an RF input configured to provide a first signal operating at a radio frequency. The apparatus includes a local oscillator configured to produce a second signal operating at a local oscillator (LO) frequency. The apparatus includes a switching mixer configured to mix the first and second signals. The apparatus includes a notch filter comprising an inductor and a capacitor connected in parallel. The notch filter is directly coupled to an input of the switching mixer in series. The notch filter is tuned such that its resonant frequency is a harmonic of the LO frequency signal. In an aspect, the apparatus also includes a transformer configured to provide the first signal. In an aspect the apparatus also includes a second notch filter comprising a second inductor and a second capacitor connected in parallel.

Abstract: A dual stage LNA for use in multiband receivers is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of first stage amplifiers having a plurality of first stage output ports, respectively, to output first stage amplified voltage mode signals. The apparatus also includes a plurality of second stage amplifiers having a plurality of second stage input ports, respectively, and second stage output ports to output amplified current mode signals. The apparatus also includes a switch apparatus having input terminals connected to the first stage output ports and output terminals connected to the second stage input ports, the switch apparatus to connect selected second stage input ports to selected first stage output ports.

Abstract: A wall ventilation screen to be used in exterior walls of buildings or vehicles for protecting against rain water and other elements while simultaneously enabling air flow. The screen includes a plurality of air passages that enable air flow from one side of the screen to the other but preferably without linear communication between both sides through the air passages. The air passages present an upwardly traveling trajectory from an exterior or exposed space to a protected space, preferably with lateral changes of direction as well. Therefore rain water that comes directly from precipitation or splashing from an adjacent surface cannot reach a protected space. The geometry of the air passages provides protection against other environmental or man made elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the protection of medical patients and personnel from harmful radiation. More specifically, this invention provides a compact, light-weight article to be worn in areas of the body most sensitive to radiation. These include, for example, the pelvic area, the genital and gonad areas, the breast area to guard against radiation to the mammary gland, the neck and throat to protect the thyroid gland, the eye area to protect the crystalline lens.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting data in a resource recovery operation featuring a borehole extending through a geologic formation, an uphole communications control center, and a downhole tool string, a method for transmitting data. The method includes (a) providing a first transceiver which is disposed in an uphole location, and a second transceiver which is in communication with the first transceiver and which is disposed in a downhole location; and (b) transmitting a signal from one of the first and second transceivers to the other of the first and second transceivers, wherein the transmitted signal encodes data using a modified alternating mark (AMI) system in conjunction with balanced line coding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the protection of medical patients and personnel from harmful radiation. More specifically, this invention provides a compact, light-weight article to be worn in areas of the body most sensitive to radiation. These include, for example, the pelvic area, the genital and gonad areas, the breast area to guard against radiation to the mammary gland, the neck and throat to protect the thyroid gland, the eye area to protect the crystalline lens.

Abstract: A ventilation screen for protecting against rain water and other elements includes a plurality of air passages. The air passages enable air flow from one side of the screen to the other but preferably without linear communication between both sides through the air passages. The air passages present an upwardly traveling trajectory from the exposed space to the protected space, preferably with lateral changes of direction as well. Therefore rain water that comes directly from precipitation or splashing from an adjacent surface cannot reach a protected space. The geometry of the air passages provides protection against other environmental or man made elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA ligands capable of binding to aflatoxin and zearalenone. The invention relates also to methods for determining the presence and concentration of aflatoxin and zearalenone in samples such as agricultural and food products, and to methods for removing or reducing the level of aflatoxin and zearalenone in samples such as agricultural and food products. The invention further relates to methods for identifying DNA ligands capable of binding to aflatoxin and zearalenone. The invention further relates to new DNA sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and an apparatus for determining the presence and concentration of an analyte in a sample and the binding of the analyte to a nucleic acid ligand that include measuring the fluorescence emitted by a rare earth element, i.e., terbium, in the presence of the analyte and the nucleic acid ligand. Specific embodiments include the use of terbium and nucleic acid ligands that specifically bind the mycotoxin ochratoxin. A, to detect and quantify ochratoxin A in, for example, food samples such as grain, wine, or beer. The detection of thrombin using terbium and a thrombin-specific nucleic acid ligand is also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising a rare earth element as a cation that facilitates the binding of an analyte to a nucleic acid ligand of the analyte.

Abstract: The presence of mycotoxins in agricultural products necessitates large scale testing of a wide range of sample material to ensure the safety of food and feed. The mycotoxin ochratoxin A represents an enablement for all mycotoxins as the level of sensitivity necessary for regulatory requirements for this compound at the part per billion level are as low or lower than any other mycotoxin. This invention describes the identification of a set of DNA ligands with sufficiently high binding affinity and specificity for ochratoxin A to enable an improvement over existing methods for the separation, concentration and quantitative determination of ochratoxin A in sample material.

Abstract: The invention relates to gas adsorbents based on metal-organic microporous coordination polymers of the metallic bispyrmidinolate-type with a sodalite-type topology, having an adsorbent performance that is typical of crystalline microporous materials. The aforementioned materials also have a large accessible pore volume of between 25 and 45% of the total volume of the material with a monodispersion of pores having diameters of less than 1.3 nm. In addition, the materials have a high capacity for adsorption of small gases, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen, methane, acetylene, etc., which is reversible such that, once said gases have been stored, they can be desorbed.

Abstract: A radiation protection device, wherein it includes functional areas where anthropometric and adhesive material are located in the same or other discreet area. It also includes a use recording and/or control system.

Abstract: The electrical pin lead structure and brazing technique of the present invention provide a brazed lead in a sensor that adheres well to a semiconductor substrate while facilitating lateral flexibility without joint fatigue or breakage. In one example embodiment, the pin lead includes a coil head that is brazed to a silicon layer on a sapphire substrate using a silver-copper-palladium braze material. An advantage to this approach is the ability to both braze the pin lead to the diaphragm and seal the diaphragm to the ceramic backing plate with a high temperature glass in a single process step. Further, the palladium in the braze composition is a factor in reducing surface tension between the metal lead and semiconductor substrate during cooling to avoid stress fractures in the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a code-multiplexed readout value of photocurrents for a photo-detector array of cells are disclosed. Readout values are determined using a multiplexer and current amplifier for each cell and a current-to-voltage converter for each row of cells. The multiplexer multiplexes a photocurrent in an electrical domain for a respective cell using a code and generates electric currents responsive to the photocurrent. The current amplifier amplifies the electric currents. The current-to-voltage converter for each row generates the readout value for that row of the array responsive to the amplified electric currents.

Abstract: A portable power tool and power supply combination includes an electrically powered drill assembly having a first power port electrically coupled thereto. A housing has a bottom wall, a top wall and a peripheral wall. The top wall has a well extending therein and including first electrical contacts mounted therein. A rechargeable battery is provided having second electrical contacts electrically coupled thereto. The second electrical contacts are removably positionable in the well aid positioned for electrically engaging the first electrical contacts. A second power port is mounted on the housing and is electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts. A power cord is elongated and includes a first end and a second end. A pair of power couplers each adapted for electrically coupling to one of the first and second power ports is electrically coupled to one of the first and second ends of the power cord.

Abstract: The electrical pin lead structure and brazing technique of the present invention provide a brazed lead in a sensor that adheres well to a semiconductor substrate while facilitating lateral flexibility without joint fatigue or breakage. In one example embodiment, the pin lead includes a coil head that is brazed to a silicon layer on a sapphire substrate using a silver-copper-palladium braze material. An advantage to this approach is the ability to both braze the pin lead to the diaphragm and seal the diaphragm to the ceramic backing plate with a high temperature glass in a single process step. Further, the palladium in the braze composition is a factor in reducing surface tension between the metal lead and semiconductor substrate during cooling to avoid stress fractures in the substrate.

Abstract: A sensor operable at temperatures in excess of 400° C. is described. The sensor of the present invention operates without fluid fill, is non-porous, non-contaminating, and has no exterior exposed metallic components. The sensor includes a non-porous, impermeable sensing diaphragm that may be positioned in direct contact with fluids in an ultra-pure environment. The non-porous surface may be comprised of a layer of single crystal sapphire that is glassed to a backing plate. The sensor of the present invention is suitable for use in a chemically inert pressure transducer module for sensing pressures and/or temperatures in process fluids and may be molded directly into the high temperature plastic housing of the pressure transducer module.