Abstract: A method includes determining a vibration characteristic of a shrouded turbine blade, which includes an airfoil attacked to a shroud. A corner of the shrouded turbine blade can be removed after determining the vibration characteristic.

Abstract: An airfoil comprises pressure and suction surfaces extending from a root section to a tip section of the airfoil. The airfoil also comprises a leading edge and trailing edge defining a chord length therebetween. A tip shelf is formed along the tip section between the pressure surface and a tip shelf wall, the tip shelf wall being spaced between the pressure surface and the suction surface. A squealer pocket is formed along the tip section between the tip shelf wall and a squealer tip wall extending from the suction surface. The tip shelf extends from within 10% of the cord length measured from the leading edge to within 10% of the chord length measured from the trailing edge. The squealer pocket extends from within 10% of the chord length measured from the leading edge to terminate less than 85% of the chord length measured from the trailing edge.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine blade comprises a dovetail, a shank extending from the dovetail, an airfoil, and a platform between the shank and the airfoil. The platform comprises a side wall extending between an upstream side and a downstream side of the platform. A first pin channel extends from the upstream side of the sidewall and a second pin channel, co-axial with the first pin channel, extends from the downstream side of the sidewall. The first channel includes a radial notch at the upstream longitudinal end of the first pin channel.

Abstract: A damper pin for coupling platforms of adjacent turbine blades includes a first flat longitudinal end region, a second flat longitudinal end region and a reduced cross sectional area. The reduced cross sectional area is separated from the first flat longitudinal end region by a first main body region and the reduced cross sectional area is separated from the second flat longitudinal end region by a second main body region. The cross sectional area of the reduced cross sectional area is less than the cross sectional area of each of the first and second main body regions.

Abstract: A damper pin for coupling platforms of adjacent turbine blades includes a first flat longitudinal end region, a second flat longitudinal end region and a reduced cross sectional area. The reduced cross sectional area is separated from the first flat longitudinal end region by a first main body region and the reduced cross sectional area is separated from the second flat longitudinal end region by a second main body region. The cross sectional area of the reduced cross sectional area is less than the cross sectional area of each of the first and second main body regions.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine blade comprises a dovetail, a shank extending from the dovetail, an airfoil, and a platform between the shank and the airfoil. The platform comprises a side wall extending between an upstream side and a downstream side of the platform. A first pin channel extends from the upstream side of the sidewall and a second pin channel, co-axial with the first pin channel, extends from the downstream side of the sidewall. The first channel includes a radial notch at the upstream longitudinal end of the first pin channel.

Abstract: A damper pin for coupling platforms of adjacent turbine blades includes a first flat longitudinal end region, a second flat longitudinal end region and a reduced cross sectional area. The reduced cross sectional area is separated from the first flat longitudinal end region by a first main body region and the reduced cross sectional area is separated from the second flat longitudinal end region by a second main body region. The cross sectional area of the reduced cross sectional area is less than the cross sectional area of each of the first and second main body regions.

Abstract: A linear actuating device contains a top magnet and a bottom magnet. The bottom magnet is axially aligned with the top magnet. The top magnet and the bottom magnet have opposing magnetization. A washer is sandwiched between the top magnet and the bottom magnet. A top coil is positioned within the top magnet. A bottom coil is positioned within the bottom magnet. A slug is slidably positioned within the top coil and bottom coil. An actuating member is integral with the slug.

Abstract: A linear actuating device contains a top magnet and a bottom magnet. The bottom magnet is axially aligned with the top magnet. The top magnet and the bottom magnet have opposing magnetization. A washer is sandwiched between the top magnet and the bottom magnet. A top coil is positioned within the top magnet. A bottom coil is positioned within the bottom magnet. A slug is slidably positioned within the top coil and bottom coil. An actuating member is integral with the slug.

Abstract: A smaller sized flip dot display utilizes a magnetically actuated pixel that rotates between two orientations. The orientations display two different optical states. A simulated dot matrix design improves the aesthetics and consumer appeal, and also permits a flip dot display capable of producing a positive contrast display image with darker colored “ON” pixels contrasting with brighter background and “OFF” pixels by reducing the visibility of the spacing gap between each rotating pixel and the surrounding background. An interwoven configuration of magnetic actuators with a coil around each arm of a U-shaped core may result in lower power consumption, low production cost, and small size required for use in consumer and small mobile devices such as watches and mobile phones.

Abstract: Recombinant lubricin molecules and uses thereof Novel recombinant lubricin molecules and their uses as lubricants anti-adhesive agents and/or intra-articular supplements for, e.g., synvial joints, meniscus, tendon, peritoneum, pericardium and pleura are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to aggrecanase polypeptides and aggrecanase polypeptide/ligand complexes, crystals of aggrecanase and aggrecanase polypeptide/ligand complexes, and related methods and software systems.

Abstract: Truncated aggrecanase proteins and nucleotides sequences encoding them as well as processes for producing them are disclosed. Additionally, aggrecanases with amino acid mutations that lead to increased stability and expression levels in comparison with wild-type or native aggrecanases are also disclosed. Aggrecanases of the invention are especially useful for development of compositions for treatment of diseases such as osteoarthritis. Methods for developing inhibitors of the aggrecanase enzymes and antibodies to the enzymes for treatment of conditions characterized by the degradation of aggrecan are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel aggrecanase proteins and the nucleotide sequences encoding them as well as processes for producing them are disclosed. Methods of identifying and developing inhibitors of the aggrecanase enzymes and antibodies to the enzymes for treatment of conditions characterized by the degradation of aggrecan are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to aggrecanase polypeptides and aggrecanase polypeptide/ligand complexes, crystals of aggrecanase and aggrecanase polypeptide/ligand complexes, and related methods and software systems.

Abstract: An approach provides machine and a human user interaction in support of dialog flows. A first state file is generated and specifies a plurality of states of a dialog with the human user. The first state file includes logic for transitioning among the states. A second state file is also generated. The second state file specifies a plurality of states of the dialog and includes logic for transitioning among the states, wherein a common process is utilized to interpret the first state file and the second state file. The common process loads one of the state files and determines an appropriate one of a plurality of resources to populate with data associated with the dialog.

Abstract: Truncated aggrecanase proteins and nucleotides sequences encoding them as well as processes for producing them are disclosed. Additionally, aggrecanases with amino acid mutations that lead to increased stability and expression levels in comparison with wild-type or native aggrecanases are also disclosed. Aggrecanases of the invention are especially useful for development of compositions for treatment of diseases such as osteoarthritis. Methods for developing inhibitors of the aggrecanase enzymes and antibodies to the enzymes for treatment of conditions characterized by the degradation of aggrecan are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified ADAMTS4 proteins having improved stability comparing to the corresponding native, unmodified proteins. The modified ADAMTS4 proteins can be expressed and isolated in large quantities, thus allowing further characterization of the proteins, such as crystallographic and enzyme kinetic studies. The purified, stable proteins would also facilitate the production of anti-ADAMTS antibodies and the development of inhibitors to ADAMTS enzymes.

Abstract: The invention provides truncated biologically active ADAMTS polypeptides, particularly those with hyalectenase activity, and more particularly those with aggrecanase activity, that exhibit greater stability and homogeneity and higher expression yields than their full-length counterparts. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding such truncated biologically active ADAMTS polypeptides and methods for producing the truncated biologically active ADAMTS polypeptides. In addition, the invention provides methods for identifying compounds capable of modulating biologically active ADAMTS polypeptides, particularly those compounds that inhibit aggrecanase activity.

Abstract: The present invention features methods of using ADAMTS-8 proteins or their functional derivatives to cleave aggrecan or other proteoglycan molecules. The present invention also features methods for identifying ADAMTS-8 modulators that are capable of inhibiting or enhancing ADAMTS-8 proteolytic activities. In addition, the present invention features pharmaceutical compositions comprising ADAMTS-8 proteins or their derivatives or modulators. These pharmaceutical compositions can be used to treat diseases that are characterized by deficiencies or abnormalities in proteoglycan cleavage or metabolism.