Abstract: The present invention relates to viscoelastic fluids that contain nanotube structures that may be used advantageously as oilfield stimulation fluids in many different applications, most particularly as a fracturing fluid. Viscoelastic fluid compositions of the present invention include an aqueous medium, a viscoelastic surfactant, an organic or inorganic acids, or salt thereof, organic acid salts, inorganic salts, and a nanotube component. The invention is also called to a methods of treating a subterranean well bores in which the viscoelastic fluid is injected into the wellbore to perform operations such as fracturing, drilling, acid fracturing, gravel placement, removing scale, matrix acidizing, and removing mud cake. Further, a method of preparing a nanotube viscoelastic fluid comprising the steps of effectively mixing a carbon nanotube component into a viscoelastic fluid, and sonicating the mixture in order to incorporate the carbon nanotube component is claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus that comprises material which have different thermal expansion coefficients, combined in such a way that the length of the drift region is variant, and self adjusting with temperature. The adjustment is such as to compensate for the length changes resulting from thermal expansion or contraction in other ion optical elements, such that ions of substantially equivalent mass to charge ratios maintain a constant flight time though the system. This allows for use of standard construction methods for the ion optical elements.

Abstract: A system and method for secure distribution and retrieval of valuable content on a standard-format, non-volatile digital storage media using encryption where authorization to access the content is managed through an enabling hardware device interacting with a centralized authentication and billing system linked by a secure communications path. The playing of the content in non-encrypted form requires the use of a device incorporating a standard media player and an interface to connect the enabling hardware device to the playing device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a networked media station providing a variety of features including a wireless network interface, a wired network interface, a peripheral interface, and a multimedia interface. The wireless network interface(s) allows the device to communicate to serve as a wireless base station or repeater and/or a bridge between a wireless and a wired network. The peripheral interface allows the device to communicate with a variety of peripherals, and, in conjunction with the network interface(s), allows sharing of a peripheral among multiple networked computers. The multimedia interface allows the device to be used with entertainment devices for streaming of multimedia information from a network connected computer to the entertainment device. Control of various aspects of the device is preferably controlled from a network connected computer.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprises an ion source which produces an ion beam from a substance to be analysed and a detector to detect a quantity of ions incident thereon. The detector includes two elements (16, 18) each of which detect a part of the quantity of ions and an attenuation device attenuates the quantity of ions reaching one of the detector elements. At least one of the detector elements (16, 18) is connected to a time to digital converter (TDC) to allow counting of the ions and at least one of the detector elements is connected in parallel to both a time to digital converter (TDC) and an analogue to digital converter (ADC).

Abstract: Compounds formula (IA) or (IB), wherein W represents HO(C?O)—, HONH(C?O)— or H(C?O)N(OH)—; X represents —O— or —S—; and R1, R2, and R3 are as defined in the description and claims, are inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases, in particular MMP9 and/or MMP12.

Abstract: A generic, parallel, n-bit wide data path communication bus allows a number of major slave devices (such as DSPs, Microprocessors, ASICs, FPGAs, etc) to be used with PVDMs and other devices. A higher level protocol allows a DMA engine to interface multiple Master devices directly with multiple slave modules through the DMA engine.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides encoding histatin polypeptides expressed in bovine tissues, including mammary gland and paratoid salivary gland tissues, are provided, together with genetic constructs and host cells comprising such isolated polynucleotides. Methods for the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprises an ion source which produces an ion beam from a substance to be analysed and a detector to detect a quantity of ions incident thereon. The detector includes two elements (16, 18) each of which detect a part of the quantity of ions and an attenuation device attenuates the quantity of ions reaching one of the detector elements. At least one of the detector elements (16, 18) is connected to a time to digital converter (TDC) to allow counting of the ions and at least one of the detector elements is connected in parallel to both a time to digital converter (TDC) and an analogue to digital converter (ADC).

Abstract: A feed dispensing apparatus for use with a conventional container. The feed dispensing apparatus may include a dispensing member attachable to the container adjacent to the bottom thereof. The dispensing member may have a perimeter with at least one access opening therethrough. The dispensing member may be clamped to the container or be configured to removably support the container thereon. A leg assembly for supporting the container above a surface or the ground may also be provided. A suspension assembly may be provided for suspending the container form a structure. A hollow tube arrangement may be provided for directing feed through a corresponding hole in the container onto the dispensing member. A funnel may be provided to funnel feed into the hollow tube arrangement. The various components of the feed apparatus may be packaged together in various combinations and sold as kits separately from the container.

Abstract: We describe methods and compositions for setting the level of gene expression in a cell. The instant invention is of an amplifier, an analog circuit. It is directly analogous to the inverting amplifier commonly used in electronics. This circuit produces an output wherein an increase in the input signal leads to a proportional decrease in the output. Similarly, a decrease in the input leads to an increase in the output signal. Here the inputs and outputs may be concentrations of intracellular molecular species. The circuit is implemented as nucleic acid constructs. By analogy with the similar circuit found in analog electronics, such a circuit is expected to have improved signal to noise ratio, improved stability, and increased accuracy. It should aid in the development of intracellular instrumentation and hence the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a solution for removing a sulphur compound or carbon dioxide from a fluid and methods for its use, said solution comprising sulphuric acid, a metal at between about 0.05 to 10 percent by weight, an amine at between about 10 to 80 percent by volume and water. In one aspect, the sulphuric acid is in the form of a chelating agent and in another it is in the form of a derivative of a sulphur-based acidic compound. The sulphur compound may be hydrogen sulphide, carbonyl sulphide or a mercaptan. In one aspect, the method is practiced at temperatures significantly below zero. In another aspect, this invention is an acid/amine solution comprising sulphuric acid, sulphuric acid in the form of a chelating agent, or a.-derivative of a sulphur-based acidic compound and monoethanolamine. This solution may be used as a source of monoethanolamine.

Abstract: It is proposed a method of treating a subterranean formation including providing a suspension of colloidal particles prior to the injection of a treating fluid based on an aqueous fluid comprising a thickening amount of a viscoelastic surfactant. The colloidal particles help to reduce fluid losses into the formation. According to a second embodiment, the treating fluid includes a hydrophobically-modified polymer, said hydrophobically-modified polymer being present at a concentration between approximately its overlap concentration c* and approximately its entanglement concentration ce. The method is particularly useful for fracturing operation in medium to high permeability formation.

Abstract: A surface contacting member for toner fusing systems and processes. This surface contacting member has a fluoroelastomer surface layer containing amorphous silica that has been surface treated with at least one organoaminosilane.

Abstract: A hunting broadhead for an arrow has a main body fabricated from high-strength steel, and three laminar carbon steel blades which install within the main body. The main body has a manually sharpenable trocar chisel point tip with three razor-sharp apices. The main body is equipped with three slots, each of which is continuous with one of the three apices of the trocar tip and includes a forward-facing recess at the front end of each slot. A laminar carbon steel blade is inserted into each slot and locked in place by a tab on the front of the blade, which fits into the forward-facing recess, and a notch which engages an annular retainer ring that slips over a rear portion of the main body. Each blade forms an extension of its associated apex, with each apex and its associated blade forming a generally straight line.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprises an ion source which produces an ion beam from a substance to be analysed and a detector to detect a quantity of ions incident thereon. The detector includes two elements (16, 18) each of which detect a part of the quantity of ions and an attenuation device attenuates the quantity of ions reaching one of the detector elements. At least one of the detector elements (16, 18) is connected to a time to digital converter (TDC) to allow counting of the ions and at least one of the detector elements is connected in parallel to both a time to digital converter (TDC) and an analogue to digital converter (ADC).

Abstract: A system and method are described for rendering a left rear surround input signal at a left rear virtual speaker location and rendering a right rear surround input signal at a right rear virtual speaker location. The method includes phase shifting the left rear surround input signal by a first phase shift. The right rear surround input signal is phase shifted by a second phase shift. The phase shifted left rear surround input signal is phase shifted using an HRTF selected to render the left rear surround input signal at the left rear virtual speaker location. The phase shifted right rear surround input signal is transformed using an HRTF selected to render the right rear surround input signal at the right rear virtual speaker location.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) are antibacterials: wherein: R1 represents hydrogen, or C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 alkyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms; R2 represents a group R10—(X)n-(ALK)m- wherein R10 represents hydrogen, or a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or heterocyclyl group, any of which may be unsubstituted or substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, hydroxy, mercapto, (C1-C6)alkylthio, amino, halo (including fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo), trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, —COOH, —CONH2, —COORA, —NHCORA, —CONHRA, —NHRA, —NRARB, or —CONRARB wherein RA and RB are independently a (C1-C6)alkyl group, and ALK represents a straight or branched divalent C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, or C2-C6 alkynylene radical, and may be interrupted by one or more non-adjacent —NH—, —O— or —S— linkages, X represents —NH—, —O— or —S—, and m and n are independently 0 or 1; and A represents a group as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A scoring methodology combines asymmetric and non-linear arithmetic scoring base on relative scores across a universe of entities. The methodology provides a research template (100) that can be utilized to forecast corporate governance risk ratings of companies and markets. The research template (100) is made up data points such as: indicators (120, 122, 124, 126), normative statements (108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118), or categories (102, 104, 106). Indicator scores build to yield a normative statement score; normative statement scores build to yield a category score; and category scores build to yield an overall heading score.

Abstract: Unauthorized removal of articles e.g. from a retail store, each article carrying a read/write tag, is detected by a security system having at least one point-of-sale apparatus (30) arranged to write specific data into (or erase specific data from) the tag to indicate that the article has been paid for, and a detector apparatus (40) for the or each exit of the store and arranged to read each tag to determine if the specific data has been written into (or erased from) the tag, and otherwise to initiate an alarm. The system also includes a refunds/returns detector apparatus (50) to read the tag of each article presented to it, to determine if the specific data has been written into (or erased from) the tag, and to erase (or write in) that data so that the article can be returned to stock.