Abstract: A stator of a variable-geometry axial turbine for aeronautical applications has an axis an is provided with an annular duct that has a diameter increasing along the axis, is delimited radially by an outer surface and by an inner surface and houses an array of air foil profiles; the profiles are rotatable relative to the outer and inner surfaces about respective axes of adjustment incident to the axis of the stator and each have an associated pair of end edges opposite each other and each slidably at a predetermined clearance from an associated shaped zone of the outer and inner surfaces, each shaped zone has a form complementary to an ideal surface generated by rotation of the associated end edges about the axis of adjustment so as to maintain a constant clearance between the profiles and the inner and outer surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wellbore fluid comprising a particulate material composed of the reaction product of A) one or more water soluble organic compound having possessing a molecular weight of less than 30,000 and possessing at least two hydroxyl groups and B) any other organic compound(s) capable of forming acetal or hemiacetal cross-links with the hydroxyl groups of compound A. The invention relates also to the specific particulate material itself and to applications of the wellbore fluid of the invention for well processes such as drilling, under-reaming, completing, working over, sealing loss zones, sealing fractures, sealing cavities or other very high permeability conduits in a rock formation, or hydraulic fracturing to stimulate a hydrocarbon-producing zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the early diagnosis of carcinomas and their preliminary stages, which comprises determining the overexpression of a cell cycle regulatory protein in a body sample. The invention also provides a kit usable for this purpose.

Abstract: Dental composite compositions, restorative compositions, and methods for their use are provided. The compositions can contain (a) from about 1 to about 35 weight percent of a monomer portion containing at least one monomer having a functional group capable of undergoing polymerization; (b) from about 75 to about 95 weight percent of a filler portion, the filler portion containing at least a spherical filler portion having at least one spherical filler particle component; and (c) from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent of a polymerization catalyst portion containing at least one catalyst capable of assisting in the polymerization of the functional group of the monomer portion and hardening of the composite after application of the composite to a tooth surface or other dental surface. The spherical filler portion is present in an amount sufficient to reduce shrinkage of the composite after polymerization to about 1.8 percent or less.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for cooling a heat generating object. A coolant is passed through a heat exchanger so that heated air passing through a first portion of the heat exchanger is cooled. A fan unit is selectively positioned relative to the heat exchanger. When activated, the fan unit draws the cooled air through a second portion of the heat exchanger and directs the twice cooled air towards the heat generating object. The fan unit may be repositioned along a different portion of the heat exchanger so as to redefine the flow of air drawn from and directed towards the heat generating object.

Abstract: A shale-stabilizing additive is described which comprises a copolymer of an olefinically unsaturated hydrocarbon and an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, carbocylic acid salt or carboxylic acid anhydride with alkylene oxide based side chains. The additive can be used for water-based service fluids (WBM) to facilitate the drilling or completion process in shales or clayey formations.

Abstract: A caster arrangement for cabinets used on access or raised floors of a computer room or the like. The caster arrangement allows for a small, heavy cabinet to be situated on the panels of the access floor without applying concentrated or ultimate loads on the panels that may exceed the design characteristics of the panel and access floor. The caster arrangement allows for at most three casters to apply load to a given panel while the cabinet is being moved or has an arbitrary orientation.

Abstract: A production system and method for producing fluids from a well are presented. The production system may include a submersible pump and a jet pump. The submersible pump may be arranged within the well. The jet pump may be arranged within the well downstream of the submersible pump. The jet pump may include a power fluid intake configured to receive a power fluid and a produced fluid intake configured to receive a produced fluid. The power fluid intake may be in fluid communication with the submersible pump. The produced fluid intake may be in fluid communication with gas within the well. In an embodiment, the produced fluid intake may be in fluid communication with separated gas within an annulus of the well. Beneficially, the system may allow, among other things, a submersible pump and a jet pump to be used in combination in high gas-liquid-ratio wells without installing a gas vent line.

Abstract: A refuelable electrochemical power source includes one or more electrochemical cells adapted to employ particulate material electrodes. The one or more cells include a cell body defining an interior cell cavity, a flow path in the cell cavity through which particulate material and fluid flow, an electroactive zone within the cell cavity, and a fluid mechanic device adjacent or within the flow path capable of filling the electroactive zone or maintaining the electroactive zone in a constantly full or maximum electroactivity condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of providing void spaces in gypsum wallboard and in a gypsum core composition such that the weight of the gypsum product is reduced without deleteriously affecting its mechanical properties. More specifically, the invention provides a method of providing void spaces in a gypsum wallboard comprising the step of adding air bubbles having different relative stabilities to a gypsum slurry, wherein the less stable air bubbles are sufficiently unstable such that they coalesce on contact with each other in the slurry to form larger air bubbles, and the weight ratio of the less stable air bubbles to the more stable air bubbles initially added to the slurry is such that there are a sufficient number of more stable air bubbles to prevent a majority of the less stable air bubbles from becoming large enough to rupture before the slurry sets sufficiently to prevent the slurry from filling void spaces left by ruptured bubbles.

Abstract: A system and method for inserting pre-cast concrete pile caps under wooden railroad bridges without removing essential load bearing rails, cross-ties, and stringers is disclosed. The system and method minimizes the time that the track is closed to normal rail traffic. The system and method uses recycled oil well drill pipes that are cast into pile caps so that female-threaded ends are flushed with an upper surface of the pile caps. Lifting rods have male threaded ends that are used with a multi-point lifting device that allows the pile cap to be slipped under the existing bridge in a number of small incremental steps utilizing the spaces between wooden bridge stringers.

Abstract: A method of promoting drainage of mucous secretions in the congested airways of a bedridden/immobilized patient or an intubated/mechanically-ventilated patient is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the airways of the patient a uridine phosphate such as uridine 5′-triphsophate(UTP) or P1,P4-di(uridine-5′) tetraphosphate, an analog of UTP, or any other analog, in an amount effective to promote drainage of fluid in the congested airways, including sinuses, to create the ciliary beat frequency of cilia on the surface lumina epithelia cells, to increase the secretions of mucous by goblet cells and to promote the clearance of retained secretions by hydrating mucous secretions, by stimulating ciliary beat frequency in the airways and by stimulating surfactant production. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Decorative articles having interchangeable modules. The decorative articles, such as rings, include a body or shank having first and second surfaces and defining an aperture therethrough. The interchangeable modules may be mounted, either individually or in combination, on the body from the side, the outside or the inside of the body or shank. In one aspect, the interchangeable modules include first and second portions. The first portion, at least partially disposed in the aperture, retains against the first surface adjacent the aperture. The second portion is connected to the first portion and is disposed adjacent the second surface. The supporting member is pivotally attached to the first surface and is selectively pivotable to contact the first portion and maintain the module mounted on the body.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a hose to a hose receptacle of an object in a locking relationship. The adapter includes a first end adapted to be fixedly attached to one of the hose receptacle or the hose and a second end having a first locking element adapted to selectively engage a second locking element to establish a locking relationship. The adapter is suitable for adapting a friction-based vacuum appliance hose connection receptacle such that it can be used with a hose-locking mechanism to selectively, securely lock the hose to the vacuum appliance.

Abstract: A connector block adaptable to engage with a terminal assembly of a hermetically sealed compressor, including a circular substantially flat surface that has a plurality of holes adaptable to receive the electrical conductor pins mounted inside the terminal assembly when the connector block is engaged with the terminal assembly. At least partially surrounding the circumference of at least one of the holes is a protrusion located on the substantially flat surface. The circular substantially flat surface defines a connector lip erected around its perimeter. This connector lip is designed to cover the open end of the cap of the terminal assembly and to surround the electrical conductor pins so as to minimize possible electrical arcing. The connector lip is fisher designed to seal the open end of the cap of the terminal assembly such that no particles from the hermetically sealed compressor could enter into the cap of the terminal assembly.

Abstract: An articulating connector system including an active connector coupled to a first line and a hub assembly coupled to a second line. The active connector includes a swivel coupling element intermediate a grip and a ball nose to allow rotational and articulating motion. A seal is coupled to the ball nose and is protected and guided by an alignment lip into mating engagement with a sealing surface defined by the hub. A clamp closes about the swivel coupling element and hub to draw together the seal and sealing surface into sealing contact to connect the first line to the second line.

Abstract: A modular uninterruptible power supply is disclosed, which provides complete redundancy for all components required for UPS operation. Novel aspects of the invention include design of the modules and their interconnection and interoperability, as well as improved operation techniques applicable to UPS systems generally.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a spike projecting forward from the leading end of the fuselage and/or rearward from the trailing end of the fuselage. The spike can include a single section or two or more sections of varying cross-sectional area. Transition regions between sections of varying cross-sectional area are located and shaped to reduce coalescence of shock waves created thereby during supersonic flight. The spike can be collapsible and can be retracted into the fuselage. The spike can have a cross-sectional shape wherein the nose thereof lies on a line formed by the intersection of the bottom of the spike with a plane tangent to the bottom of the spike. A spike thus shaped causes an asymmetric pressure distribution during supersonic flight, wherein the ground-directed pressure contour is of lesser magnitude than the pressure contour propagating in other directions.

Abstract: A gypsum wallboard core, and methods and apparatus for making the same are disclosed. Methods of making a gypsum wallboard core include extruding a gypsum slurry containing water, gypsum, slip agents, water-reducing agents, surfactants and, optional additives, through a die and onto a substantially flat, smooth, moving surface. The die has provisions at its outer sides for the introduction of slip agents into the slurry, and provisions at its lateral outer edges for the introduction of a strength-enhancing agent. Once extruded onto the conveyor belt, the slurry is chemically-activated to set and form a hardened board core which then may be easily removed from the conveyor belt and dried.

Abstract: Novel compounds derived from traditional semi- drying and non-drying oils featuring internally plasticizing and crosslinkable properties are disclosed and claimed. Preferred embodiments include acrylate or methacrylate esters of hydroxy long-chain olefinic compounds derived from castor oil or lesquerella oil. A process for the preparation of the novel compounds is also disclosed, which involves esterification reaction of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or its derivatives with substituted hydroxy long-chain olefinic compounds. These compounds are suitable for forming latices, which form films at low minimum film forming temperatures (MFT) ranging from −5 to 10° C. and cure to above ambient glass transition (Tg) polymers without the use of traditional organic cosolvents which contribute to environmental pollution via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. These latices are therefore useful in waterborne coatings, contact and pressure sensitive adhesives, and inks.