Abstract: A directed evolution method for improving performance of a mammalian host cell is provided, as well as host cells generated using the directed evolution method. In one aspect, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-evolved host cells are provided. In one aspect, (H2O2)-evolved Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) host cells are provided.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible, helically wound conduit for a breathing circuit. The conduit includes an inlet, an outlet, and an enclosing wall defining a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet, wherein at least a region of the enclosing wall is permeable to water vapor and one or more of O2 and CO2. The axial tensile strength of the enclosing wall is greater than 40N. Further provided are limbs comprising the conduit, a method of manufacturing the conduit and the use of the conduit to remove water vapor and/or CO2 from gas exhaled by a patient.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible, helically wound conduit for a breathing circuit comprising an inlet 1, an outlet 3, and an enclosing wall 2 defining a flow passage between said inlet and said outlet, wherein at least a region of said enclosing wall is permeable to water vapor and one or more of O2 and CO2, and wherein the axial tensile strength of the enclosing wall is greater than 40N. Further provided are limbs comprising the conduit, a method of manufacturing the conduit and the use of the conduit to remove water vapor and/or CO2 from gas exhaled by a patient.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a hose assembly (10, 10?) attached at one end to the base (1, 1?) of the cleaner. The hose assembly is stowed alongside the handle (6, 6?) and is retained by the free end (19) of the assembly engaging a fixture (21) on the handle. The hose assembly (10, 10?) comprises a rigid wand (12, 12?) and a flexible hose (11, 11?) with a natural extended length. The hose can be retracted to a shorter length using the power of the vacuum cleaner by closing a valve (20, 20?) on the wand (12, 12?) to prevent air flow along the hose assembly and produce a reduced pressure. The wand (12, 12?) is stowed by sliding inside or outside the hose (11, 11?) and has a flange (18, 18?) at one end that engages and seals with a flange (15, 15?) at the free end of the hose when the wand is extended.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner hose (2) has an inner flexible section (25) slidable within an outer flexible section (20). A rear end fitting (28) on the inner section prevents it being pulled from the outer section and seals with a coupling (24) at the forward end of the outer section (20) when fully extended. The inner section (25) has a natural extended length and is retracted for storage by closing a valve at the forward end of the hose (2) so that suction from the cleaner (1) causes a reduced pressure within the hose sufficient to retract the inner section. The inner section (25) is retained within the outer section (20) by engaging a coupling (33) at the forward end of the inner section with the coupling (24) at the forward end of the outer section.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner hose assembly (3; 3?; 3?, 3??) has a flexible hose (5) that can be retracted by suction applied by the vacuum cleaner (1). The forward end of the hose (5) extends within a rigid cleaning wand (6, 6?, 6?, 6??) and is attached to it close to its forward end so that a part of the hose can be stowed within the wand. The wand has two sections (64 and 65, 64? and 65?), (64? and 65?, 64?? and 65??) telescopically slidable one within the other so that the wand can have an extended length or a shorter retracted length. Both sections of the wand have an open wall structure with one or two longitudinal struts (66 and 67, 72) and (73, 66?, 73?, 66?, 73?) and one or two open windows (70, 76, 70?, 76?) in order to reduce the weight of the wand.

Abstract: A vaccum cleaner has a hose (10, 30, 30′) that is retractable in length by the application of reduced pressure from the vacuum cleaner. After use, the free end (14, 21, 33) of the hose is occluded so that pressure falls within the hose and it is retracted in length. The hose is restrained in its shortened length before suction is turned off. The hose in its retracted state may be stored on or off the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: Sound attenuating ducting has an inner, helical wire supporting an inner and outer layer formed by strips of a foamed thermoplastic rubber material. Axial and helical reinforcing yarns extend along the ducting between the layers. The two strips are applied from extruders, the extrusion rate of the inner strip being set to be less than that of the outer strip so that the inner strip is stretched to produce a more porous structure than in the outer strip. In this way, the inner layer is efficient in absorbing orifice noise within the ducting and the outer layer contains radiated noise.

Abstract: Sound attenuating ducting has an inner, helical wire supporting an inner and outer layer formed by strips of a foamed thermoplastic rubber material. Axial and helical reinforcing yams extend along the ducting between the layers. The two strips are applied from extruders, the extrusion rate of the inner strip being set to be less than that of the outer strip so that the inner strip is stretched to produce a more porous structure than in the outer strip. In this way, the inner layer is efficient in absorbing orifice noise within the ducting and the outer layer contains radiated noise.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner hose has a helical reinforcement and a compressible channel extending along the hose between the reinforcement. The channel is formed between two overlapping layers of flexible material bonded together where they extend over the reinforcement and unbonded where they extend between the reinforcement. Passages containing valves connect one end of the channel to the outlet of a vacuum cleaner pump and to its inlet so that air can be either supplied to the channel to extend the hose or withdrawn from the channel to retract the hose.