Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods that are useful for reducing the expression or activity of a specified gene in a eukaryotic cell.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is described which comprises an insulative housing comprised of at least one terminal receiving cavity, having a terminal opening and a mating terminal opening. A primary latch is positioned in the cavity provides a space between the primary latch and a base wall and an insulative contact extends laterally of the primary latch and is profiled to deflect the primary latch towards the base wall upon deflection of the insulative contact. An electrical terminal is positioned in the at least one cavity; and a terminal position assurance member is insertable below the primary latch and within the space. When the electrical terminal is fully positioned, the space is sufficient to accept the terminal position assurance member, and when the terminal is not fully inserted, the insulative contact is deflected by the electrical terminal, and the space is insufficient to accept the electrical terminal.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods that are useful for reducing the expression or activity of a specified gene in a eukaryotic cell.

Abstract: A method of assembling a combustor for use in a turbine engine is disclosed. The method includes providing a dome assembly ring including a plurality of assembly ring openings, positioning a plurality of elongated rings on the dome assembly ring, providing a cowl assembly including an inner cowl portion and an outer cowl portion that are fabricated from sheet metal, and coupling the inner and outer cowl portions to the dome assembly ring such that each of the plurality of elongated rings is coupled to the dome assembly ring.

Abstract: The present invention is based, at least in part, upon the insight that compound DsiRNA agents can be generated using site-specific RNase H-cleavable double stranded nucleic acid double stranded nucleic acid regions to attach, e.g., one DsiRNA moiety to another DsiRNA moiety and/or one DsiRNA moiety to a functional group and/or payload. Because such double stranded nucleic acid joining sequences are site-specifically RNase H-cleavable, the bifunctional molecule is cleaved into DsiRNAs which bear terminal ends that orient dicer cleavage. The detrimental impact of administering a single double stranded nucleic acid RNAi agent of longer than 30-35 nucleotides in length (e.g., provocation of interferon response) can be minimized, as once administered or delivered to a subject or RNase H-containing cell, RNase H cleavage produces a shortened, active DsiRNA agent(s).

Abstract: A method of assembling a dome assembly for use in a turbine engine combustor is disclosed. The method includes providing a dome assembly ring, an inner liner portion, and an outer liner portion. The method also includes coupling the inner liner portion and the outer liner portion to the dome assembly ring, positioning a plurality of rings on the dome assembly ring, and coupling at least one of an inner cowl and an outer cowl to the dome assembly ring such that each of the plurality of rings and at least one of the inner and outer cowls are removable without uncoupling the dome assembly ring from either the inner or outer liner portions.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for reducing expression of a target gene in a cell, involving contacting a cell with an isolated double stranded nucleic acid (dsNA) in an amount effective to reduce expression of a target gene in a cell. The dsNAs of the invention possess a pattern of deoxyribonucleotides (in most embodiments, the pattern comprises at least one deoxyribonucleotide-deoxyribonucleotide base pair) designed to direct the site of Dicer enzyme cleavage within the dsNA molecule. Deoxyribonucleotides of the dsNA molecules of the invention are located within a region of the dsNA that can be excised via Dicer cleavage to generate an active siRNA agent that no longer contains the deoxyribonucleotide pattern (e.g., deoxyribonucleotide-deoxyribonucleotide base pairs). Such DNA-extended Dicer-substrate siRNAs (DsiRNAs) were demonstrated to be more effective RNA inhibitory agents than corresponding double stranded RNA-extended DsiRNAs.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for reducing expression of a target gene in a cell, involving contacting a cell with an isolated double stranded nucleic acid (dsNA) in an amount effective to reduce expression of a target gene in a cell. The dsNAs of the invention possess a pattern of deoxyribonucleotides (in most embodiments, the pattern comprises at least one deoxyribonucleotide-deoxyribonucleotide base pair) designed to direct the site of Dicer enzyme cleavage within the dsNA molecule. Deoxyribonucleotides of the dsNA molecules of the invention are located within a region of the dsNA that can be excised via Dicer cleavage to generate an active siRNA agent that no longer contains the deoxyribonucleotide pattern (e.g., deoxyribonucleotide-deoxyribonucleotide base pairs). Such DNA-extended Dicer-substrate siRNAs (DsiRNAs) were demonstrated to be more effective RNA inhibitory agents than corresponding double stranded RNA-extended DsiRNAs.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for reducing expression of a target gene in a cell, involving contacting a cell with an isolated double stranded nucleic acid (dsNA) in an amount effective to reduce expression of a target gene in a cell. The dsNAs of the invention possess a pattern of deoxyribonucleotides (in most embodiments, the pattern comprises at least one deoxyribonucleotide-deoxyribonucleotide base pair) designed to direct the site of Dicer enzyme cleavage within the dsNA molecule. Deoxyribonucleotides of the dsNA molecules of the invention are located within a region of the dsNA that can be excised via Dicer cleavage to generate an active siRNA agent that no longer contains the deoxyribonucleotide pattern (e.g., deoxyribonucleotide-deoxyribonucleotide base pairs). Such DNA-extended Dicer-substrate siRNAs (DsiRNAs) were demonstrated to be more effective RNA inhibitory agents than corresponding double stranded RNA-extended DsiRNAs.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having at least one contact cavity extending along a longitudinal axis between a mating end and an opposite contact loading end. A primary terminal lock extends from an interior wall of the housing and is configured to engage a terminal contact to retain the terminal contact in the at least one contact cavity. A secondary locking member is integrally formed with the housing. The secondary locking member has a flexible hinge member proximate the contact loading end that pivotably connects the secondary locking member to the housing. The secondary locking member includes an engagement end that is received in the housing in a direction transverse to the axis of the at least one contact cavity to provide a visible indication of a seating condition of the terminal contact.

Abstract: A combustor liner includes a liner having an upstream end and a downstream end having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, and a plurality of cooling holes formed in the liner, the cooling holes are arranged along the longitudinal axis into a plurality of circumferentially extending rows that are variably spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A combustor liner includes a liner having an upstream end and a downstream end having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, and a plurality of cooling holes formed in the liner, the cooling holes are arranged along the longitudinal axis into a plurality of circumferentially extending rows that are variably spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is described which comprises an insulative housing comprised of at least one terminal receiving cavity, having a terminal opening and a mating terminal opening. A primary latch is positioned in the cavity provides a space between the primary latch and a base wall and an insulative contact extends laterally of the primary latch and is profiled to deflect the primary latch towards the base wall upon deflection of the insulative contact. An electrical terminal is positioned in the at least one cavity; and a terminal position assurance member is insertable below the primary latch and within the space. When the electrical terminal is fully positioned, the space is sufficient to accept the terminal position assurance member, and when the terminal is not fully inserted, the insulative contact is deflected by the electrical terminal, and the space is insufficient to accept the electrical terminal.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having at least one contact cavity extending along a longitudinal axis between a mating end and an opposite contact loading end. A primary terminal lock extends from an interior wall of the housing and is configured to engage a terminal contact to retain the terminal contact in the at least one contact cavity. A secondary locking member is integrally formed with the housing. The secondary locking member has a flexible hinge member proximate the contact loading end that pivotably connects the secondary locking member to the housing. The secondary locking member includes an engagement end that is received in the housing in a direction transverse to the axis of the at least one contact cavity to provide a visible indication of a seating condition of the terminal contact.

Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine is provided. The method includes providing a combustor liner support including a first portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially-spaced recessed areas, and a second portion extending from the first portion. The method also includes coupling the combustor liner support within a combustor such that during engine operations cooling air is channeled through the plurality of recessed areas to facilitate cooling the combustor liner support.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a virtual map database, referred to herein as the “Virtual Database System” (VDB). The VDB allows integration of map data, often from various sources, in a consistent manner for supply to an end user, while simultaneously ensuring that the entity best able to support a particular data source retains control over the data. In accordance with an embodiment, the VDB environment enables third-party data providers to associate their third-party-files with a base map or file-of-reference, thereby allowing for the creation of dynamic relationships between digital map features and other third-party data providers. The integration may be performed in a dynamic or real-time fashion, receiving up-to-date information from the various sources, creating links, and composing virtual maps, as needed or on-demand.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a virtual map database, referred to herein as the “Virtual Database System” (VDB). The VDB allows integration of map data, often from various sources, in a consistent manner for supply to an end user, while simultaneously ensuring that the entity best able to support a particular data source retains control over the data. In accordance with an embodiment, the VDB environment enables third-party data providers to associate their third-party-files with a base map or file-of-reference, thereby allowing for the creation of dynamic relationships between digital map features and other third-party data providers. The integration may be performed in a dynamic or real-time fashion, receiving up-to-date information from the various sources, creating links, and composing virtual maps, as needed or on-demand.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a virtual map database, referred to herein as the “Virtual Database System” (VDB). The VDB allows integration of map data, often from various sources, in a consistent manner for supply to an end user, while simultaneously ensuring that the entity best able to support a particular data source retains control over the data. In accordance with an embodiment, the VDB environment enables third-party data providers to associate their third-party-files with a base map or file-of-reference, thereby allowing for the creation of dynamic relationships between digital map features and other third-party data providers. The integration may be performed in a dynamic or real-time fashion, receiving up-to-date information from the various sources, creating links, and composing virtual maps, as needed or on-demand.

Abstract: A method of assembling a dome assembly for use in a turbine engine combustor is disclosed. The method includes providing a dome assembly ring, an inner liner portion, and an outer liner portion. The method also includes coupling the inner liner portion and the outer liner portion to the dome assembly ring, positioning a plurality of rings on the dome assembly ring, and coupling at least one of an inner cowl and an outer cowl to the dome assembly ring such that each of the plurality of rings and at least one of the inner and outer cowls are removable without uncoupling the dome assembly ring from either the inner or outer liner portions.