Abstract: A neckpiece wearable by a user includes opposing arm segments operatively connected to each other and configured such that each arm segment defines a tethering element configured to removably retain a cable to the neckpiece. The arm segments may be arranged to retain the neckpiece to the user's neck intermediate the shoulders and jaw of the user, such that the neckpiece when worn by the user is not in contact with the user's shoulders and/or is not supported in position by the user's shoulders. An access opening allows the user to don and doff the neckpiece, and is preferably less than 35% of the perimeter of the neckpiece. The neckpiece may include a grasping interface to exert a grasping pressure on the user's neck. The neckpiece may include a physiological sensing element. The arm segments may be formed of wire. A connecting element may detachably connect the opposing arm segments.

Abstract: A method of designing a network circuit for a telecommunications network is disclosed. The method includes storing first model data in a database representing a first model of the telecommunications network. Second model data is received representing a second model of the telecommunications network. The second model data defines node groups, each representing a plurality of network nodes of the first network model, and interconnections between node groups, each representing connectivity between node groups in the first network model. The method involves searching the second model data to select a route from a start node group to an end node group, the route specifying a plurality of node groups connected by interconnections in the second network model; and searching the first model data to select a circuit from a node of the start node group to a node of the end node group.

Abstract: A differentially pumped vacuum system including apparatus having at least first and second chambers; and a vacuum pump for differentially pumping fluid from the chambers to generate a first pressure above 0.1 mbar in the first chamber and a second pressure lower than the first pressure in the second chamber, the pump having at least first and second pump inlets each for receiving fluid from a respective pressure chamber and a plurality of pumping stages positioned relative to the inlets so that fluid received from the first chamber passes through fewer pumping stages than fluid from the second chamber, the inlets being attached to the apparatus such that at least 99% of the fluid mass pumped from the apparatus passes through at least one of the pumping stages of the pump.

Abstract: A differentially pumped mass spectrometer system comprises a mass spectrometer having first and second pressure chambers through which, during use, ions are conveyed along a path. A pump assembly for differentially evacuating the chambers is attached to the mass spectrometer. The pump assembly comprises a housing attached to the mass spectrometer and a cartridge inserted into the housing. The cartridge has a plurality of inlets each for receiving fluid from a respective pressure chamber and a pumping mechanism for differentially pumping fluid from the chambers. The cartridge is inserted into the housing such that the pumping mechanism is inclined relative to the ion path, but with the cartridge protruding into the mass spectrometer to such an extent that at least one of the inlets at least partially protrudes into its respective chamber without crossing the ion path.

Abstract: A method of designing a network circuit for a telecommunications network is disclosed. The method includes storing first model data in a database representing a first model of the telecommunications network. Second model data is received representing a second model of the telecommunications network. The second model data defines node groups, each representing a plurality of network nodes of the first network model, and interconnections between node groups, each representing connectivity between node groups in the first network model. The method involves searching the second model data to select a route from a start node group to an end node group, the route specifying a plurality of node groups connected by interconnections in the second network model; and searching the first model data to select a circuit from a node of the start node group to a node of the end node group.

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 differentially pumped mass spectrometer system comprises a mass spectrometer having first and second pressure chambers through which, during use, ions are conveyed along a path. A pump assembly (10) for differentially evacuating the chambers (62, 66, 68) is attached to the mass spectrometer. The pump assembly comprises a housing (12) attached to the mass spectrometer and a cartridge (14) inserted into the housing. The cartridge has a plurality of inlets (16, 18, 20) each for receiving fluid from a respective pressure chamber (62, 68, 66) and a pumping mechanism (30, 32, 34) for differentially pumping fluid from the chambers. The cartridge is inserted into the housing such that the pumping mechanism (10) is inclined relative to the ion path (76), but with the cartridge protruding into the mass spectrometer to such an extent that at least one of the inlets (16, 18) at least partially protrudes into its respective chamber (62, 68) without crossing the ion path.

Abstract: A method of designing a network circuit for a telecommunications network is disclosed. The method includes storing first model data in a database representing a first model of the telecommunications network. Second model data is received representing a second model of the telecommunications network. The second model data defines node groups, each representing a plurality of network nodes of the first network model, and interconnections between node groups, each representing connectivity between node groups in the first network model. The method involves searching the second model data to select a route from a start node group to an end node group, the route specifying a plurality of node groups connected by interconnections in the second network model; and searching the first model data to select a circuit from a node of the start node group to a node of the end node group.

Abstract: A differentially pumped mass spectrometer system comprises a mass spectrometer having first and second pressure chambers through which, during use, ions are conveyed along a path. A pump assembly (10) for differentially evacuating the chambers (62, 66, 68) is attached to the mass spectrometer. The pump assembly comprises a housing (12) attached to the mass spectrometer and a cartridge (14) inserted into the housing. The cartridge has a plurality of inlets (16, 18, 20) each for receiving fluid from a respective pressure chamber (62, 68, 66) and a pumping mechanism (30, 32, 34) for differentially pumping fluid from the chambers. The cartridge is inserted into the housing such that the pumping mechanism (10) is inclined relative to the ion path (76), but with the cartridge protruding into the mass spectrometer to such an extent that at least one of the inlets (16, 18) at least partially protrudes into its respective chamber (62, 68) without crossing the ion path.

Abstract: A vacuum pump comprises a molecular drag pumping mechanism and a regenerative pumping mechanism. A rotor element of the molecular drag pumping mechanism surrounds rotor elements of the regenerative pumping mechanism.

Abstract: A compound vacuum pump comprising at least one turbo-molecular stage and downstream therefrom a multi-channel molecular drag stage, a first inlet through which fluid can pass through the turbo-molecular stage and the molecular drag stage towards a pump outlet, a second inlet through which fluid can enter the pump at a location between the turbo-molecular and the molecular drag stages to pass only through the molecular drag stage towards the pump outlet, in which one or more channels of the molecular drag stage are adapted to communicate directly with the second inlet whilst the remaining channel or channels communicate with the turbo-molecular stage.

Abstract: A compound vacuum pump comprising at least one turbo-molecular stage and downstream therefrom a multi-channel molecular drag stage, a first inlet through which fluid can pass through the turbo-molecular stage and the molecular drag stage towards a pump outlet, a second inlet through which fluid can enter the pump at a location between the turbo-molecular and the molecular drag stages to pass only through the molecular drag stage towards the pump outlet, in which one or more channels of the molecular drag stage are adapted to communicate directly with the second inlet whilst the remaining channel or channels communicate with the turbo-molecular stage.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an aqueous sizing dispersion comprising a ketene dimer based sizing agent, wherein the sizing agent is obtained by

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for recovering metal from dross. The apparatus comprises a chamber having an opening to receive the dross and an agitating member mounted in the chamber. The agitating member is driven so that it agitates the dross in the chamber so as to release the metal from the oxide of the dross. The chamber also has an outlet through which the recovered metal and residual oxide are discharged.