Abstract: A platform assembly for providing a work area around a well riser is disclosed. The platform assembly comprises a platform configured to be attached to the well riser. The platform assembly further comprises a plurality of tensioning means for supporting the platform relative to a vessel and for supporting the riser. At least part of tensioning means is configured to change in length relative to another part of tensioning means responsive to angular motion of the riser and the vessel.

Abstract: A containment shell for a magnetic pump, the shell comprising: a body section having a continuous side wall defining a chamber, and an end wall closing the chamber at one end, the chamber being open at the other end, wherein the body section and the end wall are integrally formed from a matrix material in which chopped carbon fibre material is distributed.

Abstract: A platform assembly (10) for providing a work area around a well riser (16) is disclosed. The platform assembly (10) comprises a platform (26) configured to be attached to the well riser (16). The platform assembly (10) further comprises a plurality of tensioning means (28) for supporting the platform (26) relative to a vessel (14) and for supporting the riser (16). At least part of tensioning means (28) is configured to change in length relative to another part of tensioning means (28) responsive to angular motion of the riser (16) and the vessel (14).

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for in-place fast Fourier transform (FFT). According to various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a RAM, having a single address space, divided into a plurality of sub-memory spaces, where the number of sub-memory spaces is a function of a length of the FFT such that the two inputs are always from different sub-memories, as are the two outputs. According to various embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a division circuit configured to perform a “bitwise” division operation in order to convert addresses from the aforementioned single address space to the particular sub-memories and addresses within them. According to various embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a butterfly processor capable of performing a butterfly operation.

Abstract: A containment shell for a magnetic pump, the shell comprising: a body section having a continuous side wall defining a chamber, and an end wall closing the chamber at one end, the chamber being open at the other end, wherein the body section and the end wall are integrally formed from a matrix material in which chopped carbon fibre material is distributed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for in-place fast Fourier transform (FFT). According to various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a RAM, having a single address space, divided into a plurality of sub-memory spaces, where the number of sub-memory spaces is a function of a length of the FFT such that the two inputs are always from different sub-memories, as are the two outputs. According to various embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a division circuit configured to perform a “bitwise” division operation in order to convert addresses from the aforementioned single address space to the particular sub-memories and addresses within them. According to various embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a butterfly processor capable of performing a butterfly operation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates to obtaining the network address of the network device such as an IP from a laptop, that it is stored in a system. This system then combines these IP addresses and IP address ranges from one or more network devices into groups. Each group has a list of these IP addresses and IP address ranges which can be downloaded and used within authentication device such as a firewall to only allow a specific group of laptops access to the network accessible resource such as a website or an email service.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of synthons that are used to form modules that, in turn, are used to form two-dimensional close-packed planar arrays, referred to as nanomembranes. In a presently preferred embodiment, a nanomembrane herein constitutes a filter.

Abstract: There is provided a method of determining the solubility of a chemical compound containing one or more acidic or basic groups. The method involves preparing a close to saturated solution with solid present of said chemical compound; measuring the pH of the test solution at regular intervals until a consistent rate of pH change; adding a known aliquot of base or acid titrant to the test solution to adjust the pH slope; and repeating steps (b) and (c) until the measured pH slope changes sign. The solubility of the compound is determined as the concentration of unionised compound in solution when the measured pH slope is interpolated to zero.

Abstract: Certain amphiphilic modules comprising 3-24 synthons are provided herein. Each synthon is independently selected from aryl, heteroaryl, alicyclic, and heteroalicyclic substituents, wherein each synthon selected is bonded to the next through a linker to form a closed ring that defines a nanopore. One or more lipophilic moieties and one or more hydrophilic moieties are bonded to one or more of the synthons, resulting in the formation of the desired amphiphilic modules. Those modules may be subsequently linked to one another to form two-dimensional close-packed planar arrays, referred to as nanomembranes. Nanomembranes may be useful in filtering certain ionic species from a solution. Selective passage of particular species is determined, in part, by the size of the module's nanopore and the nature of the lipophilic/hydrophobic species attached thereto. Also provided are methods of making and using amphiphilic modules and nanomembranes.

Abstract: There is provided a method of determining the solubility of a chemical compound containing one or more acidic or basic groups. The method involves preparing a close to saturated solution with solid present of said chemical compound; measuring the pH of the test solution at regular intervals until a consistent rate of pH change; adding a known aliquot of base or acid titrant to the test solution to adjust the pH slope; and repeating steps (b) and (c) until the measured pH slope changes sign. The solubility of the compound is determined as the concentration of unionised compound in solution when the measured pH slope is interpolated to zero.

Abstract: A differentially pumped mass spectrometer system comprises a mass spectrometer having a plurality of pressure chambers; a vacuum pump attached thereto and comprising at least three pump inlets, a first pumping section, a second pumping section downstream from the first pumping section, and a third pumping section downstream from the second pumping section, an outlet from a first, relatively low, pressure chamber being connected to a first pump inlet through which fluid can enter the pump from the first chamber and pass through the first, second and third pumping sections towards a pump outlet, an outlet for a second, medium pressure chamber of the spectrometer being connected to a second pump inlet through which fluid can enter the pump and pass through, of said sections, only the second and third pumping sections towards the pump outlet, and an outlet for a third, highest pressure chamber of the spectrometer being connected to a third pump inlet through which fluid can enter the pump and pass through, of sai

Abstract: A tape cartridge for a personnel barrier system includes a spool (14) of tape (16), a housing (6), a return spring (26) and a speed restricting mechanism. The speed restricting mechanism includes a rotor device (38) that is connected to the spool (14) for rotation therewith in at least one rotational direction, the rotor device being immersed in a viscous damping medium (40).

Abstract: Nanofilms useful for filtration are prepared from oriented amphiphilic molecules and oriented macrocyclic modules. The amphiphilic species may be oriented on an interface or surface. The nanofilm may be prepared by depositing or attaching an oriented layer to a substrate. A nanofilm may also be prepared by coupling the oriented macrocyclic modules to provide a membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of synthons that are used to form modules that, in turn, are used to form two-dimensional close-packed planar arrays, referred to as nanomembranes. In a presently preferred embodiment, a nanomembrane herein constitutes a filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a flashlamp laser by powering the flashlamp during a series of discrete pulses during an arbitrary time window provides a flashlamp having an extended lifetime. The arbitrary time window may be a time window during which a flashlamp would be continuously pulsed in conventional operation. The laser provides lasing action continuously during a time window during which the associated flashlamp is powered for only portions of the time window. The resulting lowered coulomb transfer rate per pulse and time window utilized produce an extended flashlamp lifetime.

Abstract: Macrocyclic module compositions are made from cyclic synthons. The macrocyclic module structures are prepared by stepwise or concerted schemes which couple synthons in a closed ring. The macrocyclic module structures may have a pore of nanometer dimensions.

Abstract: A queueing control system including a control unit (2) and a plurality of call units (14) that are connected to the control unit (2), each said call unit (14) including a call switch (24) that, when activated by a customer, causes the call unit to transmit to the control unit a “call” signal that contains information uniquely identifying the call unit, the control unit (2) including means for recognising “call” signals received from the call units and placing the call units associated with those signals in a queue according to the order in which the “call” signals were received, the system further including display means (4) driven by the control unit that, in use, identifies the call unit that is at the front of the queue.

Abstract: A low air-loss mattress comprises a containment envelope enclosing two lengthwise extending inflatable side chambers each connected to receive air under pressure from a source and each connected to supply such air under pressure to one or more laterally extending inflatable air sacks positioned between the two side chambers. Each air sack is formed with a multiplicity of holes through which air can leave the mattress.

Abstract: An air-loss mattress (1) to which air under pressure is supplied from a source, control apparatus (2) for controlling the supply of air under pressure from the source to the air-loss mattress through a connector which form part of the mattress, and means included in the control apparatus for setting a required pressure of air flow to the mattress, the air-loss mattress being characterized in that it includes a manifold conduit (25) connected to the source of air under pressure through an outlet pipe (26) of the control apparatus, an open-ended tube (27) connected at one end to pressure recording means of the control apparatus with its free end positioned within the manifold conduit (25) to provide a direct measure of the pressure of air present within this manifold, and means for automatically varying the rate at which air is supplied to the mattress from the source in dependence upon differences existing between the pressure recorded by the pressure recording means and the set pressure in a sense to minimize