Abstract: A viscosity regulating composition having a polymeric structure with an internal hydrophobic unit located within the polymer's backbone, multiple hydrophilic units, and terminal hydrophobic units. In one embodiment, the internal hydrophobic unit may have at least three linked hydrophobic segments, of the same or different hydrophobic segments, with the proviso that the multiple hydrophobic segments are not linked to each other by one or more hydrophilic linking segments, for example water-soluble, polymeric groups.

Abstract: In a direct electron detector, backscattering of electrons into the detector volume from below the sensor is prevented. In some embodiments, an empty space is maintained below the sensor. In other embodiments, a structure below the sensor includes geometry, such as multiple high aspects ratio channels, either extending to or from the sensor to trap electrons, or a structure of angled surfaces to deflect the electrons that pass through the sensor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus for optimizing conditional code by identifying conditional code in a source code, adding a no-operation instruction to an executable code corresponding to the source code in place of the conditional code, adding an entry to a table to pair the no-operation instruction to the conditional code, compiling the conditional code, and storing the compiled conditional code separate from the executable code. A computer-implemented method and apparatus to optimize conditional code by loading an executable code to be executed, checking whether conditional code associated with the executable code is enabled for execution, looking up a location of a no-operation instruction in a table and a location of a compiled conditional code in the table, and replacing the no-operation instruction in the executable code with the compiled conditional code.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of predicting a three dimensional structural representation of a target protein of unknown structure, or part thereof, comprising: providing the coordinates of the turkey ?1-AR structure listed in Table A, Table B, Table C or Table D, optionally varied by a root mean square deviation of residue backbone atoms of not more than 1.235 A, or selected coordinates thereof; and predicting the three-dimensional structural representation of the target protein, or part thereof, by modelling the structural representation on all or the selected coordinates of the turkey ?1-AR. The invention also provides the use of the turkey ?1-AR coordinates to select or design one or more binding partners of ?1-AR.

Abstract: A method for selecting a membrane protein with increased stability, the method comprising: a) providing one or more mutants of a parent membrane protein in a membrane-containing composition, wherein the one or more mutants are exposed to an amount of a membrane destabilising agent which is effective to destabilise the parent membrane protein in-situ, b) determining whether the or each mutant membrane protein has increased stability with respect to its structure and/or a biological activity compared to the stability of the parent membrane protein with respect to its structure and/or the same biological activity, and c) selecting the one or more mutants which have increased stability compared to the stability of the parent membrane protein.

Abstract: A three-terminal, dual-diode system is compatible with both fully differential remote and single-ended remote temperature measurement systems. Fully differential remote temperature sensor systems offer better noise immunity and can perform faster conversions with less sensitivity to series resistance than single-ended systems. The two diode system can be used with either fully differential or single-ended temperature measurement systems, which can be used when upgrading from a single-ended architecture to a fully differential architecture, and which can provide backwards compatibility to single-ended architectures for users of fully differential architectures. The simultaneous forwards and backwards compatibilities reduces development risk associated with switching from a proven architecture (e.g., single-ended) to a newer, less-proven, architecture (e.g., fully differential).

Abstract: A molten metal submergence device includes a submergence chamber, an inlet pipe, and a vortex breaker. The submergence chamber is defined by a side wall and includes an inlet in communication with an associated molten metal bath and an outlet in communication with the associated molten metal bath. The inlet is positioned in relation to the side wall such that material passing through the inlet is introduced at least substantially tangentially to the side wall. The inlet pipe is in communication with the inlet of the submergence chamber. The inlet pipe is configured to depend from a wall of the submergence chamber within the confines of the side wall. The vortex breaker is disposed in the submergence chamber between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A chipper device for chipping one or more metal ingots. The chipper device includes a cutter head and a guide mechanism associated with the cutter head. The guide mechanism includes a chute having a passageway. A feed mechanism is adapted to move one or more ingots sequentially through the passageway of the chute into engagement with the cutter head, whereby the cutter head chips the ingots into a plurality of particles.

Abstract: A method for selecting a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) with increased stability, the method comprising (a) providing one or more mutants of a parent GPCR, (b) selecting a ligand, the ligand being one which hinds to the parent GPCR when the GPCR is residing in a particular conformation, (c) determining whether the or each mutant GPCR has increased stability with respect to binding the selected ligand compared to the stability of the parent GPCR with respect to binding that ligand, and (d) selecting those mutants that have an increased stability compared to the parent GPCR with respect to binding the selected ligand. Mutants of ?-adrenergic receptor, adenosine receptor and neurotensin receptor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method to improve the color acceptance of color viscosity stabilized latex paints. The system includes a base paint, 0.05 wt % to 5 wt % of a color viscosity stabilizing compound; a colorant compound, and; a sufficient amount of a hydrophobically modified alkali swellable emulsion (“HASE”) thickener to improve the color acceptance properties of the paint, which amount is typically 0.02 wt % to 0.5 wt % of the paint, and optionally, 0.1 wt % to 5 wt % of a condensation polymer associative thickener including polyether polyurethanes, polyether polyols, polyether polyacetals, and polyether aminoplasts. The system demonstrates improved color acceptance as measured by rub-ups and ?E values.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a floor-engaging portion provided with a first air inlet, an upright portion pivotally connected at its lower end to the floor-engaging portion, a handle upstanding from the upper end of the upright portion, a first or lower end of the handle being detachably engaged with an socket on the upright portion of the cleaner, a rigid tubular duct extending along the handle from a second air inlet at the lower end of the handle to an outlet disposed remote from that end of the handle, and a flexible hose connected to the outlet on the handle. The rigid tubular duct has, at the first end of the handle, an elongate portion which has either a transverse dimension or a cross-sectional area which is substantially uniform over its length.

Abstract: A chipper device for chipping one or more metal ingots. The chipper device includes a cutter head and a guide mechanism associated with the cutter head. The guide mechanism includes a chute having a passageway. A feed mechanism is adapted to move one or more ingots sequentially through the passageway of the chute into engagement with the cutter head, whereby the cutter head chips the ingots into a plurality of particles.

Abstract: A molten metal submergence device includes a submergence chamber, an inlet pipe, and a vortex breaker. The submergence chamber is defined by a side wall and includes an inlet in communication with an associated molten metal bath and an outlet in communication with the associated molten metal bath. The inlet is positioned in relation to the side wall such that material passing through the inlet is introduced at least substantially tangentially to the side wall. The inlet pipe is in communication with the inlet of the submergence chamber. The inlet pipe is configured to depend from a wall of the submergence chamber within the confines of the side wall. The vortex breaker is disposed in the submergence chamber between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a body including a dust separator, a floor engaging head having a first dirty air inlet on its underside, a handle detachably mounted in a socket on the body and having a second dirty air inlet at its lower end, a flexible hose extending between the center of the handle and the body, a valve, and a valve actuator disposed in the socket for configuring the valve to connect the dust separator to the first or second inlets respectively when the handle is engaged and disengaged from the body. When engaged to the body, the upper end of handle is used to propel and guide the cleaner while suction is applied to the first dirty air inlet in the floor engaging head. Once detached, the handle is immediately ready for use as a tool for above-floor cleaning without the user having to manually divert the suction or fit cleaning tools.

Abstract: A multi-channel remote diode temperature sensor includes a variable current supply configured to provide a base or an elevated current, a bias circuit, an analog-to-digital converter having a first and second input terminals, a logic block and a switch arrangement. The switch arrangement cooperates with the logic block to electrically connect the current supply, bias circuit and analog-to-digital input terminals to first and second data pins. Pairs of anode-to-cathode connected remote diodes in electrical communication with the data pins are monitored by measuring the difference in forward voltages at the two currents. Reversal of the configuration of the switch arrangement paths permits monitoring of the other member of the anode-to-cathode remote diode.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is disclosed which comprises a body, fan means within the body for creating an airflow through the cleaner and a separation unit mounted to the body for separating dirt and dust from the airflow. The separation unit comprises a cyclone separator and a filter. The filter is removable from the separation unit when the separation unit is mounted to the body of the cleaner.

Abstract: A diagnostic ultrasound system having an ergonomic positioning mechanism is provided. The ergonomic positioning mechanism includes a table for supporting a control panel used to provide input to the ultrasound system. The table is adapted to be rotatable and translatable such that a user can position the table and control panel in an ergonomically comfortable position while performing an ultrasound.

Abstract: A method and system to process a data search request. The system includes a query controller module to receive the data search request that includes constraints; a reduced constraint builder module to formulate a plurality of search definitions that are formulated to exclude at least one constraint; and a search engine to perform searches of a data source to generate search results and to utilize the search results to calculate counts of data items that respectively correspond to the search definitions. The query controller module communicates the counts of data items and the corresponding search definitions to a client machine. Each of the search definitions is formulated to include a constraint set.

Abstract: A temperature measurement circuit for a dual junction temperature sensor is provided. The temperature measurement circuit is configured to provide separate bias currents to the junctions in the temperature sensor. The temperature measurement circuit includes two signal channels configured to provide an intermediate differential signal from a differential input signal that is received from the temperature sensor. Also, the temperature measurement circuit may include one or more multiplexer circuits that are configured to control the intermediate differential signal. The temperature sensor circuit further includes a control circuit configured to adjust the bias currents and to control the multiplexer circuits such that several different differential voltages can be provided by the signal channels.

Abstract: A molten metal submergence device includes a submergence chamber, an inlet pipe, and a vortex breaker. The submergence chamber is defined by a side wall and includes an inlet in communication with an associated molten metal bath and an outlet in communication with the associated molten metal bath. The inlet is positioned in relation to the side wall such that material passing through the inlet is introduced at least substantially tangentially to the side wall. The inlet pipe is in communication with the inlet of the submergence chamber. The inlet pipe is configured to depend from a wall of the submergence chamber within the confines of the side wall. The vortex breaker is disposed in the submergence chamber between the inlet and the outlet.