Abstract: A composite material (1) is disclosed for use as an electrode (51) component comprising a first and second substantially separate and distinct graphitic material (2), (3). The first graphitic material (2) is spaced apart from the second graphitic material (3) and a decorate (6) is arranged within the space (4) between the first and second graphitic material (2), (3) by means of intercalation.

Abstract: A gateway turns encrypted PS data traffic on the Iub interface into clear IP packets so that WAN stream de-duplication and other optimization can be performed to eliminate the transfer of repetitive data across the Iub interface, thereby increasing the throughput between the NodeB and the RNC of the WCDMA network. The gateway pulls PS data traffic out from Iub without disturbing the signaling and CS traffic. The bifurcated PS data traffic is redirected to the GTP I/O port of the gateway where the stream de-duplication is applied. Deployment of the gateway is transparent to the WCDMA network. No network reconfiguration is required to deploy the gateway on the Iub interface.

Abstract: A method of processing waste carpet or matting material to separate constituent materials thereof, includes optionally drying the material and then cooling the material to a temperature at which at least one constituent material therein is embrittled. A mechanical force is applied to the cooled material causing the embrittled constituent material to break into fragments. Optionally, the material from the previous step is dried. The material is then separated to separate the fragments of constituent material from other constituent material. The carpet material can be initially shredded into coarse pieces. The procedure may be repeated optionally with different temperatures to selectively embrittle and fragment different components and facilitate their separation.

Abstract: A method of operation of a mobile network (1) comprising network core central nodes including a switching node and at least one remote node (4, 5) linked with the central nodes via a remote backhaul communication link (3). The method performs local connection of data or voice sessions. A remote node (4, 5) extracts, from signals, information concerning said devices to populate a database, and accesses said database when deciding whether to connect the call locally. The information includes device capability information including codec capabilities of the originating and terminating devices (MS-A, B, C). A remote node alters signalling information concerning codec capabilities of at least one of the devices (MS-A, B, C) to force use of the same codecs during the session. In one example, the information is extracted from a Bearer Capability field in a Call Confirmed message sent back from the terminating device and stored in the database for use in subsequent decisions concerning local connections of sessions.

Abstract: Methods of processing particulate carbon material, such as graphic particles or agglomerates of carbon nanoparticles such as CNTs are provided. The starting material is agitated in a treatment vessel in the presence of low-pressure (glow) plasma generated between electrodes. The material is agitated in the presence of conductive contact bodies such as metal balls, on the surface of which plasma glow is present and amongst which the material to be treated moves. The methods effectively deagglomerate nanoparticles, and exfoliate graphitic material to produce very thin graphitic sheets showing graphene-type characteristics. The resulting nanomaterials used by dispersal in composite materials, e.g. conductive polymeric composites for electric or electronic articles and devices. The particle surfaces can be functionalized by choosing appropriate gas in which to form the plasma.

Abstract: A prosthetic hip implant system includes a prosthetic femoral component having a stem portion, a neck portion coupled to the stem portion and a part-spherical head coupled to the neck portion. An acetabular component is provided which has a housing, the housing having a part-spherical inner surface having an open end with a circumferential rim portion. The rim portion has a circumferential radially inwardly extending flange. A bearing element is mounted within the housing and has a part-spherical first outer surface region engaging the part-spherical inner surface of the housing. The part-spherical first outer surface region extends at a first radius from a center. The bearing element has a second part-spherical outer surface region extending a distance from the center less than the first radius to form a stop surface for contacting the rim.

Abstract: A mobile network comprises remote base transceiver station (BTS) nodes (3, 4) linked with a central base station controller (BSC) node (9). The latter is in turn linked with a mobile switching center (MSC, 10), a visitor location register (VLR, 11), and a home location register (HLR, 8). Mobile stations (2, MS-A, MS-B, and MS-C) are located in the cells of the BTSs (3, 4). The remote nodes (3, 4, 3(a), 4(a)) are connected to the central node BSC (9) over a remote backhaul satellite connection. Calls are routed locally while the central nodes continue to manage calls and services from central feature-rich and typically more reliable switches of a core network. This means that calls set up between subscribers on the same remote node get connected within the remote node but call supervision is still carried out by the central nodes. The features and services of the existing core network are preserved.

Abstract: A prosthetic hip implant system includes a prosthetic femoral component having a stem portion, a neck portion coupled to the stem portion and a part-spherical head coupled to the neck portion. An acetabular component is provided which has a housing, the housing having a part-spherical inner surface having an open end with a circumferential rim portion. The rim portion has a circumferential radially inwardly extending flange. A bearing element is mounted within the housing and has a part-spherical first outer surface region engaging the part-spherical inner surface of the housing. The part-spherical first outer surface region extends at a first radius from a center. The bearing element has a second part-spherical outer surface region extending a distance from the center less than the first radius to form a stop surface for contacting the rim.

Abstract: A prosthetic hip implant system includes a prosthetic femoral component having a stem portion, a neck portion coupled to the stem portion and a part-spherical head coupled to the neck portion. An acetabular component is provided which has a housing, the housing having a part-spherical inner surface having an open end with a circumferential rim portion. The rim portion has a circumferential radially inwardly extending flange. A bearing element is mounted within the housing and has a part-spherical first outer surface region engaging the part-spherical inner surface of the housing. The part-spherical first outer surface region extends at a first radius from a center. The bearing element has a second part-spherical outer surface region extending a distance from the center less than the first radius to form a stop surface for contacting the rim.

Abstract: A prosthetic hip implant system includes a prosthetic femoral component having a stem portion, a neck portion coupled to the stem portion and a part-spherical head coupled to the neck portion. An acetabular component is provided which has a housing, the housing having a part-spherical inner surface having an open end with a circumferential rim portion. The rim portion has a circumferential radially inwardly extending flange. A bearing element is mounted within the housing and has a part-spherical first outer surface region engaging the part-spherical inner surface of the housing. The part-spherical first outer surface region extends at a first radius from a center. The bearing element has a second part-spherical outer surface region extending a distance from the center less than the first radius to form a stop surface for contacting the rim.

Abstract: Plasma-treating small particles, such as carbon nanotubes, are disclosed. The technical aim is to achieve a controllable degree of treatment which is reasonably uniform in the mass of particles treated. The proposed method uses a low-pressure plasma (glow discharge) generated in a rotating treatment drum (4). The drum (4) has an axial electrode (3), internal vanes (44) and a sealable cover or lid (5). It can be evacuated via a port (52) having a particle-retaining filter. Process gas can be fed into it to maintain the plasma, e.g. through a feed opening (32) in the central electrode (3). An outer electrode may be provided as a separate surround (8) or as a conductive outer cylinder wall of the drum (4). Glow discharge is created along the central electrode, and the drum rotation speed adjusted so that the particles fall through the plasma zone. The drum (4) may have a port (51) through which fluid can be introduced to disperse the particles safely.

Abstract: A method of processing waste carpet or matting material to separate constituent materials thereof, includes optionally drying the material and then cooling the material to a temperature at which at least one constituent material therein is embrittled. A mechanical force is applied to the cooled material causing the embrittled constituent material to break into fragments. Optionally, the material from the previous step is dried. The material is then separated to separate the fragments of constituent material from other constituent material. The carpet material can be initially shredded into coarse pieces. The procedure may be repeated optionally with different temperatures to selectively embrittle and fragment different components and facilitate their separation.

Abstract: A method of operation of a mobile network (1) comprising network core central nodes including a switching node and at least one remote node (4, 5) linked with the central nodes via a remote backhaul communication link (3). The method performs local connection of data or voice sessions. A remote node (4, 5) extracts, from signals, information concerning said devices to populate a database, and accesses said database when deciding whether to connect the call locally. The information includes device capability information including codec capabilities of the originating and terminating devices (MS-A, B, C). A remote node alters signalling information concerning codec capabilities of at least one of the devices (MS-A, B, C) to force use of the same codecs during the session. In one example, the information is extracted from a Bearer Capability field in a Call Confirmed message sent back from the terminating device and stored in the database for use in subsequent decisions concerning local connections of sessions.

Abstract: A formulation suitable for delivery from a pressurised metered dose inhaler comprises a hydrofluoroalkane liquid, which is pharmaceutically acceptable, for instance HFA 134a or HFA 227, a drug to be delivered to the lung which is insoluble in the hydrofluoroalkane, the drug being in particulate form in the composition, further containing a suspension stabiliser which is a non-toxic essential oil miscible with the hydrofluoroalkane liquid at room temperature. The essential oil is preferably one having some amphiphilic property, such as a ketone or aldehyde compound. Insulin may be formulated for inhalation.

Abstract: A method for recycling polymeric materials, particularly cured rubber such as may be derived from tyres and the like, includes obtaining solid polymer material in particulate form derived from a previous artifact or product. The polymer particles are exposed to a fluid treatment medium which chemically modifies the particle surfaces to provide chemically activated particle surfaces, while maintaining polymer properties in the particle interiors. The surface activated polymer particles are combined with a flowable binder or matrix material. The binder or matrix material is then cured, dried or set in intimate contact with the surface-activated polymer particles to form a body of material incorporating the recycled polymer particles with the surfaces bonded to the cured, dried or set binder or matrix material. In this way, large proportions of particulate material can be recycled into new products which exhibit good performance, e.g. elastomeric performance.

Abstract: A common-rail fuel injector (1) has a forged housing containing a nozzle and a reservoir (2) for supplying the nozzle with fuel. In order to reduce its height the housing integrally incorporates a flow limiter (4) and a filter (5) in a laterally protruding portion (1a) to which the fuel pipe is connected at (18). This means that the reservoir can be held in place underneath the engine cover (30) by a clamp (3) between the rocker levers (16) in a space-saving manner, and the injector can be removed without disturbing the valves.

Abstract: The application discloses coherent, processable rubber compositions containing cured rubber particles, especially recycled crumb rubber, dispersed in a curable base rubber. A processable composition, particularly one which can be roll-processed into a self-sustaining web is achieved by including in the curable rubber a low-viscosity curable rubber component such as a liquid rubber. This component wets the crumb rubber enabling it to disperse fully during mixing and connect intimately into the structure upon curing. This technique enables larger quantities and/or smaller particle sizes of the crumb rubber to be successfully incorporated while maintaining processability. Inert fillers can be used or omitted, reducing density. The novel rubber compounds are particularly suitable for making into layer products such as mats and flooring materials. Desirably these are laminated with fabric such as tufted textiles. This can be done in a compression moulding process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating autoimmune diseases. In particular, it provides a method for the treatment of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease comprising administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical formulation comprising an antibody, wherein said antibody binds to CD3.

Abstract: A mobile network comprises remote base transceiver station (BTS) nodes (3, 4) linked with a central base station controller (BSC) node (9). The latter is in turn linked with a mobile switching centre (MSC, 10), a visitor location register (VLR, 11), and a home location register (HLR, 8). Mobile stations (2, MS-A, MS-B, and MS-C) are located in the cells of the BTSs (3, 4). The remote nodes (3, 4, 3(a), 4(a)) are connected to the central node BSC (9) over a remote backhaul satellite connection. Calls are routed locally while the central nodes continue to manage calls and services from central feature-rich and typically more reliable switches of a core network. This means that calls set up between subscribers on the same remote node get connected within the remote node but call supervision is still carried out by the central nodes. The features and services of the existing core network are preserved.

Abstract: Nanoparticles are prepared from a colloidal system comprising a continuous phase and micelles, the micelles comprising surfactant material. A microemulsion is formed by admixing the colloidal system with a solution of an active material, such as a medicament, dissolved in a solvent wherein the solution forms a disperse phase with the micelles of surfactant material. At least the dispersed phase is quenched to a solid state and the continuous phase and solvent are removed to produce the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles can be incorporated in an aerosol composition suitable for deep lung delivery by means of a metered dose inhaler.