Abstract: The present invention provides processes for introducing a fluid stream into a carbon black reactor and for producing carbon black. According to the present invention, a fluid stream comprising an oxidant, nitrogen, hydrogen, a hydrocarbonaceous material or mixtures thereof is introduced into the effluent flowing through a carbon black reactor in an axial direction.

Abstract: An ion detector for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a microchannel plate 8 which receives ions 12 at an input surface and releases electrons 16 from an output surface. A detecting device is arranged to receive at least some of the electrons 16 emitted from the microchannel plate 8. The detecting device receives electrons 16 on a first portion of the detecting device at a first time t1 and receives electrons 16 on a second different portion of the detector at a second later time t2. Time-varying electric and/or magnetic fields are applied between the microchannel plate 8 and the detecting device to guide electrons 16 emitted from the microchannel plate onto different regions of the detecting device in a time varying manner.

Abstract: A way of increasing the dynamic range of a mass spectrometer which incorporates a time to digital converter such as commonly used with a time of flight mass analyser is disclosed. A z-lens upstream of the analyser can be switched between a high sensitivity mode wherein a beam of ions passing therethrough is substantially focused on to the entrance slit of the analyser, and a low sensitivity mode wherein the beam of ions is defocused so that the diameter of the beam substantially exceeds that of the entrance slit of the analyser. Obtaining data in the low sensitivity mode in combination with obtaining data in the high sensitivity mode enable an order of magnitude increase in the dynamic range to be obtained.

Abstract: An ion detector 7 for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a microchannel plate 8 which receives ions 12 at an input surface and releases secondary electrons 16 from an output surface. A detecting device 9 having a detecting surface is arranged to receive at least some of the electrons 16 emitted by the microchannel plate 8. The area of the detecting surface is substantially greater than the area of the output surface of the microchannel plate 8.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of cooling an engine for an automobile, in particular to a method of operating a cooling system having a variable coolant flow control valve. The cooling system is operated in dependence upon the difference between a desired operating temperature and a measured operating temperature. If this difference falls within a first and a second predetermined threshold, the temperature control is effected by operation of the valve in dependence upon the difference. The method also includes operation of a variable speed fan and a variable speed pump, in dependence upon the difference between a desired operating temperature and a measured operating temperature.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein a z-lens upstream of an orthogonal acceleration Time of Flight mass analyser is repeatedly switched between a first mode wherein ions are transmitted to the mass analyser for subsequent mass analysis with a relatively high transmission and a second mode wherein ions are transmitted with a relatively low transmission. If it is determined that mass spectral data obtained when the mass analyser is in the first mode is suffering from saturation, then suitably scaled mass spectral data obtained when the mass analyser is in the second mode is used instead. If the saturation is severe then the mass spectral data obtained in the first mode may be replaced in its entirety with mass spectral data obtained in the second mode.

Abstract: An in vitro, three dimensional artificial tissue that resembles human skin has been developed. Microvascular endothelial cells from human adult lung were sandwiched between two layers of human dermal fibroblasts in three dimensional collagen gels. The sandwich was covered with keratinocytes. The cultures were self-maintained for prolonged periods of time without the addition of tumor promoters such as phorbol esters. Over a few days, the keratinocytes developed into a multilayered epithelium. Microvessels were produced in the support matrix. The microvessels were composed of a tight monolayer of endothelial cells surrounded by a continuous basal lamina, contacted by newly formed, sparse perioendothelial cells. The microvessels also contained newly formed blood cells. Human matrix molecules characteristic of skin were produced.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of cooling an engine for an automobile, in particular to a method of operating a cooling system having a variable coolant flow control valve. The cooling system is operated in dependence upon the difference between a desired operating temperature and a measured operating temperature. If this difference falls within a first and a second predetermined threshold, the temperature control is effected by operation of the valve in dependence upon the difference. The method also includes operation of a variable speed fan and a variable speed pump, in dependence upon the difference between a desired operating temperature and a measured operating temperature.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein the pusher electrode of a Time of Flight mass analyser is operated in conjunction with an ion gate to ensure that low mass background or matrix ions are not injected into the drift region of the mass analyser.

Abstract: A rotary valve provides single point flow control of coolant within the cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The valve distributes coolant flow from the engine in predetermined flow modes to either 1) the radiator and heater simultaneously, 2) a bypass circuit only, 3) the heater only, or 4) the radiator and bypass simultaneously. The single-point coolant control results in advantages of shorter warm-up times, a lower pressure drop (reducing power consumption by the pump), reduced engine emissions and fuel consumption, improved cabin heater performance, and improved engine durability due to reduced thermal shocks to the engine components by virtue of more precise control of engine operating temperature.

Abstract: This invention is based on the discovery that chemokines induce fibroblasts to differentiate to myofibroblasts, which play a critical role in wound healing and are implicated in a number of fibrotic diseases. This activity has been localized to a peptide in the N-terminus of several chemokines. Accordingly, the invention provides polypeptides that induce the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts in vitro and in vivo, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides and related vectors, host cells, and composition containing these components. The invention also encompasses methods for inducing or inhibiting differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, in vivo as well as in vitro, and screening methods for identifying other agents that modulate myofibroblast differentiation.

Abstract: Compositions containing the C-terminal region of cCAF or IL-8 can be used in methods for inducing an angiogenic response, without attracting leukocytes, when administered to an animal or human subject in an amount sufficient to stimulate sprouting of new blood vessels.

Abstract: A dynamic loading and unloading of model files over the Internet or a local network from a repository of objects located at a URL. The model file contains all aspects of the available features of the 3-D object including 3-D geometry, texture (image), audio, text, video as well as behavior and interactivity (logic), that is the sub-components or elements of the object model file. The models include ways of representing graphic images, which include the designation of endpoints rather than each point of an image. The present invention divides the model file into the sub-components and downloads each component separately in any order. Typical model file size is from approximately 10 Kbytes to about 1.5 Mbytes. Geometry describes the physical characteristics in a 3-D file, such as the shape and size. Images consist of a texture of the geometry. The sub-components or elements are downloaded separately to form a complete 3-D model. These elements are downloaded dynamically.

Abstract: A way of increasing the dynamic range of a mass spectrometer which incorporates a time to digital converter such as commonly used with a time of flight mass analyser is disclosed. A z-lens upstream of the analyser can be switched between a high sensitivity mode wherein a beam of ions passing therethrough is substantially focused on to the entrance slit of the analyser, and a low sensitivity mode wherein the beam of ions is defocused so that the diameter of the beam substantially exceeds that of the entrance slit of the analyser. Obtaining data in the low sensitivity mode in combination with obtaining data in the high sensitivity mode enable an order of magnitude increase in the dynamic range to be obtained.

Abstract: New carbon blacks that when incorporated into rubber compositions impart increased abrasion resistance and lower hysteresis. Also disclosed are rubber composition incorporating the novel carbon blacks, which have nitrogen surface area of at least 100, a CDBP of at least 105, a tint of 90-140 and a delta D50/Dmode ratio of 0.6-0.76.

Abstract: A charging system for a battery powered electric vehicle operates bidirectionally for charging the battery or for supplying power back to the utility grid at any selected power factor so that load leveling may be effected. A communications link between the utility and the charging system carries control signals and a control system associated with the charging system is responsive to the signals for controlling the charging rate and direction.

Abstract: A master control unit of a cable tester in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion. The master control unit includes a display, a pivotal cover, an indicator, a modular jack, and an activation/selection button. Electronics of the cable tester are disposed with the housing. A remote unit compatible with standard modular jacks comprises a housing for supporting a printed circuit board and a cover. The housing comprises an elongated generally rectangular portion which is sized so as to be compatible with standard modular jacks. During use the master control unit is connected by a jumper cable to a modular jack under test. The modular jack under test is connected by wiring to another modular jack, also under test, at another location. The remote unit is inserted into and mates with the other modular jack. Testing is performed at master control unit.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate material having a photovoltaic cell, a semiconductor substrate material having an integrated array of at least two photovoltaic cells in electrical series with one another, systems for the production of electricity and method for the production of electricity are disclosed. In the semiconductor substrate material (301) having a photovoltaic cell (303, 304), the photovoltaic cell comprises at least one first type groove (305, 306, 307) having walls doped with a first type dopant (308), the first type groove having a first conducting material in conducting electrical contact with the first type doped walls and at least one second type groove (310, 311, 312) having walls doped with a second type dopant, the second type groove having a second conducting material in conducting electrical contact with the second type doped walls.

Abstract: A shielded connector assembly having a snap locking mounting scheme. The assembly includes a panel yoke (2) with snap locking elements (21) for snap lockingly, removably securing the panel yoke (2) in a panel or cover plate. The panel yoke (2) is also constructed to snap lockingly engage a shielding device (30) which in turn is constructed to snap lockingly engage a connector assembly comprising an interconnecting device (61) which may be a printed circuit board (59) including integrally defined reactive elements designed to compensate for reactive imbalance of electrical components connected thereto. A pair of wire termination blocks (70) mounted to a first side of the circuit board are connected by circuitry on the circuit board to a corresponding modular jack (60) mounted on a second side of the circuit board. The reactive elements produce an impedance between selected leads of the modular jack and the wire termination blocks by the circuitry.