Abstract: An apparatus for determining one or more elements or compounds in a laboratory sample, and for simultaneously performing both vapor generation and nebulization in one device, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an enclosed cyclonic spray chamber with two integrally affixed cylindrical ports, one for introducing a nebulizer into the chamber and the other for facilitating volatilization of analytes within the chamber. In addition, two conical tubes are integrally affixed to the chamber and oriented opposite each other, with one tube serving as the means for introducing a sample into the spray chamber, and the other tube serving as the means for introducing reductant/reactant into the spray chamber. This invention allows a sample that has been introduced into the spray chamber to be subjected to nebulization or vapor generation, or to both processes.

Abstract: A method of differentiating embryonic stem cells into neural precursor cells is disclosed. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of (a) obtaining an embryonic stem cell culture, (b) propagating the stem cells, (c) forming embryoid bodies from the stem cells, and (d) culturing the embryoid bodies in a medium containing an effective amount of fibroblast growth factor 2, wherein neural precursor cells will be generated and isolated.

Abstract: An engine of reciprocating piston type includes a cylinder block (4) with one or more cylinders (2), each of which receives a respective piston (10) and is defined by a respective cylinder barrel (8), which is integral with the reminder of the cylinder block. The outer surface of each cylinder barrel (8) carries a plurality of substantially circumferential discontinuous reinforcing ribs, each comprising a plurality of elongate projections (12) spaced apart by gaps (14). Each projection (12) in each rib is in registry with a gap in the or each adjacent rib, when viewed in the direction of the length of the associated cylinder barrel.

Abstract: A requirements matching broker is provided for use in a requirements matching system. The broker receives messages from users or from other brokers, conveying a statement of requirements, via a communications network interface. The broker includes a store and means to store predetermined rules for routing received messages. A rule includes a statement of requirements and the identity of a corresponding destination. On receipt of a message, the broker performs a comparison of a statement of requirements conveyed by the message with a statement of requirements contained within a stored routing rule. On finding a match, the broker identifies, from the matching routing rule, the identity of a destination for routing the received message and transmits the message to the identified destination via the network interface.

Abstract: A data switching device has ingress routers and egress routers interconnected by a switching matrix controlled by a controller. Each ingress router maintains one or more virtual output queues for each egress router. The switching matrix itself maintains a head-of queue buffer of cells which are to be transmitted. Each of these queues corresponds to one of the virtual output queues, and the cells stored in the switching matrix are replicated from the cells queuing in the respective virtual output queues. Thus, when it is determined that a connection is to be made between a given input and output of the switching matrix, a cell suitable for transmission along that connection is already available to the switching matrix. Upon receipt of a new cell by one of the ingress routers, the cell is stored in one of the virtual output queues of the ingress router corresponding to the egress router for the cell, and also written the corresponding head of queue buffer, if that buffer has space.

Abstract: In a vacuum pump of the regenerative type or including a regenerative section in which a rotatable vertical shaft is supported by upper and lower bearings, a lubricating system for lubricating the upper bearing comprising an axial bore extending along the shaft and communicating at its upper end with at least one oil hole in alignment with the upper bearing, the lower open end of the axial bore extending in to a shaft reservoir located in a sump for containing lubricating fluid, the arrangement being such that centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the shaft will cause the lubricating fluid in the shaft reservoir to pass along the axial bore as a thin film towards the oil hole and hence to the upper bearing, in which at least one port is formed in a wall of the shaft reservoir to permit the passage of lubricating fluid therethrough from the sump in a controlled manner dependent upon the head of lubricating fluid in the sump above the port.

Abstract: A system for lubricating the upper bearing supporting a rotatable vertical shaft in a machine or pump comprising an axial bore extending along substantially the length of the shaft and communicating at its lower open end with a reservoir containing lubricating fluid, at least one radial oil hole extending between the axial bore and the upper bearing for the delivery of lubricating fluid thereto, the arrangement being such that centrifugal force generated during rotation of the shaft will draw lubricating fluid from the reservoir upwardly along the axial bore in the form of a thin film and towards the radial oil hole for delivery to the upper bearing, and an air delivery and demisting circuit including an air/lubricating fluid mist chamber communicating with the axial bore via at least one radial port located between the lower open end and the upper bearing, the port having a distal end extending in to the axial bore, at least one air hole extending between the axial bore and the outer cylindrical surface of t

Abstract: A cold-storage appliance includes an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container. The cold-storage appliance includes air transfer valves that mitigate the piston effect experienced when opening and closing a drawer, and bellows are attached to the drawer to maintain the vapor barrier.

Abstract: A method suitable for use in small trade stores or retail shops for assisting in providing the correct color or coating compositions mixed in the store or shop in which colorants (II) are added to a base paint (2), the base paint (2) being provided in a lidded container (I). The base paint (2) is pre dispensed in a lidded container (I), thereby avoiding the need to weigh it accurately in store thus saving time. Further time is saved by adding the colorants simultaneously to the base paint (2). The actual load (usually the combined weight of the can and the contents) is compared to the correct load stored in a database and the operator is alerted if the two fail to match.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel, non-destructive and dynamic process for determining the cell cycle position of living cells. The invention also provides DNA constructs, and cell lines containing such constructs, that exhibit activation and deactivation of a detectable reporter molecule in a cell cycle specific manner. The invention thus allows greater precision in determining cell cycle phase status than existing techniques and further provides a method for continuous monitoring of cell cycle progression in individual cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a supercharger system and a method for thermal modeling of a switched reluctance motor for supercharging an internal combustion engine. The supercharger system comprising: A supercharger driven by an electric motor, the motor having a rotor that rotates at an angular speed &ohgr; to draw a mass airflow volume V; a controller that controls the operation of the supercharger; a sensor for sensing a measure of the rotor angular speed &ohgr; and a sensor for sensing the mass airflow volume V. The controller is adapted to calculate using the temperature T of at least one component of the supercharger.

Abstract: A data packet switching system having a central controller and a number of peripheral controllers each incorporating at least one queue for storing packets of information received from a peripheral data packet source. Each queue in each peripheral controller includes a queue size detection logic adapted to communicate to the central controller the approximate state of the size of the corresponding queue. The scale for the approximate state being arranged to be empty, nearly empty, active, busy, very busy, nearly full and full.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lateral flow enzyme assay device and test kit for the determination of analyte in a test sample. The invention further relates to lateral flow method for the determination of analytes by directly using the analyte as an enzyme substrate.

Abstract: A fluid connector comprising a body having bore. Apertures disposed about a portion of the body allow a fluid flow to communicate with the bore. Sealing members on a body surface engage cooperating sealing surfaces on component members to be joined. An end of the body is formed to connect the fluid connector to a component member.

Abstract: A cold-storage appliance includes an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a supercharger system and a method for thermal modeling of a switched reluctance motor for supercharging an internal combustion engine. The supercharger system comprising: A supercharger driven by an electric motor, the motor having a rotor that rotates at an angular speed &ohgr; to draw a mass airflow volume V; a controller that controls the operation of the supercharger; a sensor for sensing a measure of the rotor angular speed &ohgr; and a sensor for sensing the mass airflow volume V. The controller is adapted to calculate using the temperature T of at least one component of the supercharger.

Abstract: A cold-storage appliance includes an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container.

Abstract: A process for in situ gasification of mineral oil in a subterranean formation comprises running a tool having a controllable thermal device therein from a surface production facility down to the subterranean formation, bringing said tool into operational proximity with the mineral oil in said subterranean formation, and activating the tool to operate the thermal device within a predetermined temperature range to generate gases or oily vapours from said mineral oil, which permits either an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method with reduced water contamination, or a gas production process (GPP) which is useful in reducing environmental risks normally associated with transport of crude oil.

Abstract: An engine of reciprocating piston type includes a cylinder block (4) with one or more cylinders (2), each of which receives a respective piston (10) and is defined by a respective cylinder barrel (8), which is integral with the remainder of the cylinder block. The outer surface of each cylinder barrel (8) carries a plurality of substantially circumferential discontinuous reinforcing ribs, each comprising a plurality of elongate projections (12) spaced apart by gaps (14). Each projection (12) in each rib is in registry with a gap in the or each adjacent rib, when viewed in the direction of the length of the associated cylinder barrel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of microfluidic devices and methods for conducting assays and syntheses. The devices include a solid substrate layer having a surface that is capable of attaching ligand and or anti-ligand, and an elastomeric layer attached to said surface. Preferred embodiments have deflectable membrane valves and pumps, for example, rotary pumps associated therewith.