Abstract: Described are glutathione adducts of fatty aldehydes (FALD-GSH) and methods useful in the detection of FALD-GSH in the identification of pathologies associated with leukocyte-mediated disease conditions, including eosinophil and neutrophil activation. Thus, the present disclosure provides methods of diagnosing a subject as having or being at risk of developing a leukocyte-mediated disease (LMD) comprising (a) detecting the level of glutathione adducts of 2-halofatty aldehydes (FALD-GSH) in a sample; (b) comparing the amount of FALD-GSH with a control or standard reflective of diseased and/or healthy levels of FALD-GSH; and (c) diagnosing the subject as having or being at risk of developing LMD if the level of FALD-GSH in the sample is higher than the control or standard.

Abstract: Described are glutathione adducts of fatty aldehydes (FALD-GSH) and methods useful in the detection of FALD-GSH in the identification of pathologies associated with leukocyte-mediated disease conditions, including eosinophil and neutrophil activation. Thus, the present disclosure provides methods of diagnosing a subject as having or being at risk of developing a leukocyte-mediated disease (LMD) comprising (a) detecting the level of glutathione adducts of 2-halofatty aldehydes (FALD-GSH) in a sample; (b) comparing the amount of FALD-GSH with a control or standard reflective of diseased and/or healthy levels of FALD-GSH; and (c) diagnosing the subject as having or being at risk of developing LMD if the level of FALD-GSH in the sample is higher than the control or standard.

Abstract: A diagnostic method using biomarkers to predict future adverse coronary events is provided. More particularly, the present invention is directed to diagnostic tests for characterizing an individual's risk of developing or having cardiovascular disease. In certain embodiments, the method of the present invention quantitates the presence of elevated levels of chlorinated lipids derived from myeloperoxidase as a prognostic indicator of future adverse coronary events.

Abstract: A diagnostic method using biomarkers to predict future adverse coronary events is provided. More particularly, the present invention is directed to diagnostic tests for characterizing an individual's risk of developing or having cardiovascular disease. In certain embodiments, the method of the present invention quantitates the presence of elevated levels of chlorinated lipids derived from myeloperoxidase as a prognostic indicator of future adverse coronary events.

Abstract: A user program directly accesses a storage device for I/O operations, bypassing the operating system. The user registers a virtual memory region and an “extent”, or region, of the storage device with a host bus adapter. A virtual interface is created between the user and the storage device including a queue for transmitting commands from the user to the storage device. To perform I/O, the user creates a descriptor including command information identifying the type of I/O operation, a buffer handle identifying the registered virtual memory region, virtual memory address information identifying the locations of data buffers in the registered virtual memory region to be used for the I/O operation, an extent handle identifying the registered extent, and disk address information identifying an area within the registered extent to or from which data is to be written or read. The user posts this descriptor to the virtual interface by placed it on the associated queue.

Abstract: A user program directly accesses a storage device for I/O operations, bypassing the operating system. The user registers a virtual memory region and an “extent”, or region, of the storage device with a host bus adapter. A virtual interface is created between the user and the storage device including a queue for transmitting commands from the user to the storage device. To perform I/O, the user creates a descriptor including command information identifying the type of I/O operation, a buffer handle identifying the registered virtual memory region, virtual memory address information identifying the locations of data buffers in the registered virtual memory region to be used for the I/O operation, an extent handle identifying the registered extent, and disk address information identifying an area within the registered extent to or from which data is to be written or read. The user posts this descriptor to the virtual interface by placed it on the associated queue.

Abstract: A user program directly accesses a storage device for I/O operations, bypassing the operating system. The user registers a virtual memory region and an “extent”, or region, of the storage device with a host bus adapter. A virtual interface is created between the user and the storage device including a queue for transmitting commands from the user to the storage device. To perform I/O, the user creates a descriptor including command information identifying the type of I/O operation, a buffer handle identifying the registered virtual memory region, virtual memory address information identifying the locations of data buffers in the registered virtual memory region to be used for the I/O operation, an extent handle identifying the registered extent, and disk address information identifying an area within the registered extent to or from which data is to be written or read. The user posts this descriptor to the virtual interface by placed it on the associated queue.

Abstract: An alloy composition suitable for use as a single crystal seed comprises nickel and, in the proportion of 5 to 50 weight %, a further metal selected from the Transition Series of elements in Period VI of the Periodic Table of Elements. The further metal may be tungsten or tantalum. The alloy composition contains no component which forms an oxide layer at elevated temperatures, and in particular contains no aluminium or titanium. The alloy composition is suitable for use as a seed alloy for the casting of single crystal components such as aerofoils for gas turbine engines.

Abstract: A crystal selector pattern for use in forming a mould in an investment casting process, which is formed from a water-soluble organic composition which, in a preferred embodiment, comprises 80% urea.

Abstract: Particles or inclusions are removed from a molten alloy by contacting the molten alloy with a material selected from the group consisting of aluminium silicate, magnesium silicate, zirconium oxide or a mixture of alumina-calcia and alumina-magnesia.

Abstract: Apparatus for pouring molten metal comprises a cold crucible 15 which has a recess adjacent its top and a pouring spout 16 positioned in the recess just below the level of the surface of the melt. The recess defines a lip above the spout which helps to ensure that there is a constant pressure head above the spout. Pivotally mounted on the lip, and biased to assume a horizontal position irrespective of the angle of tilt of the crucible is an induction coil 21. The coil induces currents in the surface of the melt and thereby moves the dross away from the pouring spout. The crucible 15 pours into a constant head hopper 22 and the opening and closing of the crucible pouring spout 16 and the angle of tilt of the crucible are controlled to ensure constant pressure head in the hopper.

Abstract: Apparatus for pouring molten metal comprises a water cooled copper crucible 15 which has a recess adjacent its top and a pouring spout 16 positioned in the recess just below the level of the surface of the melt. The recess defines a lip above the spout which helps to ensure that there is a constant pressure head above the spout. Pivotally mounted on the lip, and biased to assume a horizontal position irrespective of the angle of tilt of the crucible is an induction coil 21. The coil induces currents in the surface of the melt and thereby moves the dross away from the pouring spout. The crucible 15 pours into a constant head hopper 22 and the opening and closing of the crucible pouring spout 16 and the angle of tilt of the crucible are controlled to ensure constant pressure head in the hopper.

Abstract: An alloy suitable for making single crystal castings consists essentially of the following constituents by weight percent:______________________________________ Chromium 8-15% Aluminum 5-7% Titanium 2-5% Niobium 0.1-2% Molybdenum 0-7% Tantalum 1-8% Tungsten 0-7% Cobalt 5-15% Vanadium 0.5-2% Carbon 0-0.05% Balance Nickel plus impurities. ______________________________________The combined weight of Tungsten, Molybdenum and Tantalum is from 2.5 to 8.0 percent by weight of the total alloy weight and the combinations of Aluminium, Titanium, Niobium, Tantalum and Vanadium are balanced such as to give an alloy volume fraction of between 60 and 75% of gamma prime (Ni.sub.3 (M)) where M is Aluminium, Titanium, Niobium, Tantalum, Vanadium and also minimum gamma/gamma prime lattice mismatch. The alloy has good high strength characteristics, impact resistance, corrosion and oxidation resistance and has a wide heat treatment window.

Abstract: A relatively low-density Nickel based superalloy particularly suitable for use in the form of a single crystal casting comprised by weight percent:Chromium: 7-13%Aluminium: 5-7%Titanium: 2-5%Cobalt: 4-16%Molybdenum and/or Ruthenium: 1-4%Vanadium: 0-2%Carbon: 0-0.05%Balance Nickel plus incidental impurities, the density of the alloy being less than 7.9 kg/dm.sup.3.