Abstract: The present invention provides novel marker genes for the specific identification and characterization of human suppressive and/or regulatory T cells including natural, adaptive, and expanded CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells in healthy individuals as well as tumor patients or patients with autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A method for the identification of regulatory T cells based on the diminished abundance or even absence of the global gene regulator SATB1 in such regulatory T cells. In particular, the invention relates to a method utilizing ligands that specifically bind to SATB1 for identifying regulatory T cells which are cells showing a reduced binding to said ligand. Such method is suitable for quality determination of a regulatory T cell population. A kit or diagnostic composition for such method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel marker genes for the specific identification and characterization of human suppressive and/or regulatory T cells including natural, adaptive, and expanded CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells in healthy individuals as well as tumor patients or patients with autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for overcoming the adverse effects of disintegration of molten steel streams due to sub-surface growth of carbon monoxide bubbles when exposed to reduced pressures and thus permits refining of liquid scrap much the same way as if it were a quiescent liquid melt. Steel scrap contaminated with copper, tin, zinc and organics, such as PVC coating, is preheated and melted continuously using melt circulation and then continuously refined in-line to yield high quality liquid steel and separate non-ferrous metal byproducts by straightforward physical desorption under reduced pressure using an inert strip gas within a desorber and then subsequent iron vapour condensation by direct contacting with liquid steel followed by selective condensation of copper initially and then recovery of tin. Formation of dioxins from scrap containing chlorine is precluded by inline scrubbing of pyrolysis gas formed during scrap preheating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing metal oxide material to metal comprising the steps of forcibly circulating molten carrier material in a closed loop path serially through a charge reduction zone on one arm of the loop, a combined melt desulphurisation zone and post combustion or heating zone on the other, reducing said metal oxide to solid metal by the carbonaceous material contained within a mixed composite charge of the metal oxide, carbonaceous reductant and flux in said reduction zone, the metal oxide and carbonaceous reductant being utilised in proportions such that the carbon from the carbonaceous reductant is converted to carbon monoxide; reacting carbon monoxide with oxygen in the refining loops downstream from the reduction loop before being combusted to completion in the heating zone at the surface of the molten carrier material so that heat generated by the reaction is transferred to the molten carrier material which is circulated to the reduction zone; separating a metallised ra

Abstract: The present invention provides a process plant for the production of molten steel from primary and/or secondary ferrous materials in which no free oxygen is permitted to contact directly carbon-containing iron melts, comprising:—i) at least three pairs of furnaces (1,2; 3,4;5,6), each furnace of a pair having a hearth base (36) and being interconnected so as to form a continuous flowpath loop for molten metal, the first pair (1,2) defining an iron making loop (A) and the second and third pair (3,4;5,6) defining primary and secondary steel refining loops (B,C) respectively, (ii) means (8) for transferring molten metal from the ironmaking loop (A) to the first refining loop (B) and from the first refining loop (B) to the second refining loop (C), (iii) means for controllably supplying heat to, and removing heat from metal in the furnaces (1,2,3,4,5,6), whereby, in use a central region of metal (19a) in the furnace (1,2,3,4,5,6) becomes or is maintained in its molten state and a peripheral region of the metal (2

Abstract: Hot metal is circulated by an R-H unit in a closed loop path through first and second hearths and chambers. Titaniferous material containing iron oxide is introduced into the first hearth and the iron oxide therein is reduced in a heating zone in the first hearth to iron to produce titania slag having a reduced iron content which is removed in chamber before the hot metal passes via an underflow weir into chamber at which coal is added and a proportion of hot metal is removed. The addition of coal is such that more than 2% by weight of carbon dissolves in the hot metal in the second hearth. Coal ash slag is removed at chamber, while the hot metal containing the dissolved carbon is recirculated to the first hearth.

Abstract: Copper and or nickel sulfide ore concentrates of high intrinsic value are oxygen smelted by introducing such concentrates via feeds (32) into a closed loop extraction circuit in which a molten sulphide carrier composition is forcibly circulated by an R-H unit (14) through lower hearth (10) at which feed of the concentrates takes place, and upper hearth (12) at which controlled oxidation with technically pure oxygen through top lances (4) takes place to oxidize copper sulphide and iron sulphide in the concentrate to iron oxide. Copper is removed via line (42). Slag containing iron oxide is discharged via weir (22) into a secondary circuit in hearths (24 and 28). Carbonaceous reductant added to the slag in (28) reduces the iron oxide in the slag to hot iron product.

Abstract: Zinc is recovered from zinc sulphide material by introducing such material at a feed station into a molten copper sulphide matte which is circulated in a closed loop path through said feed station, a zinc recovery station and an oxidizing station. The matte is heated electrically directly by resistive heating. Oxygen in the absence of other gases is introduced at the oxidizing station. Sulphur dioxide is removed in a sulphuric acid plant. The method is operated to keep the activity of copper in the total matte at less than unit activity. Virtually zero gas emission is possible.

Abstract: Smelting reduction of metallic oxide material, e.g. pelletized iron oxide ore or iron oxide ore fines is effected by contacting such material with a circulating molten carrier material, e.g. molten iron in the case of iron oxide smelting, in a furnace, and by introducing a carbonaceous reductant e.g. coal into the carrier material. The reductant converts the metal oxide to metal in a smelting reduction zone. Carbon monoxide thereby produced is combusted in a heating zone through which the carrier material passes to effect heat recovery. Slag is removed from the carrier material surface before entering the heating zone. A protective layer of molten material, e.g. lead, which is substantially stationary is maintained below the circulating carrier material to inhibit erosion of the furnace hearth.

Abstract: A method of recovering non-ferrous metals from their ores comprises introducing the ore into a molten sulphide carrier that is forcibly circulated through an extraction circuit, contacting the molten carrier containing the dissolved or melted ore with oxygen to oxidize at least part of the ore or carrier, recovering heat thereby generated by the molten carrier, and transmitting the heat by means of the carrier to endothermic sites in the circuit.