Abstract: There is provided a method of starting a gas turbine engine, comprising: selecting a baseline starting procedure of the gas turbine engine based on environmental data; receiving condition information for the gas turbine engine and/or for a starting system of the gas turbine engine, the condition information comprising at least one of: health information for the gas turbine engine and/or the starting system; maintenance information for the gas turbine engine and/or the starting system; and operation information relating to an expected future usage of the gas turbine engine. The method further comprises determining a predicted degradation profile for the gas turbine engine and/or the starting system based on the condition information; determining a starting procedure of the gas turbine engine by adapting the baseline starting procedure based on the predicted degradation profile; and controlling the gas turbine engine and/or the starting system according to the determined starting procedure.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having a MFR of less than 2 g/10 min. which when formed into a film has an oxygen transmission rate of equal to or greater than 300 cc/100 in2/24 h at 73° F. and 0% relative humidity per ASTM D 3895 and a water vapor transmission rate of equal to or greater than 0.5 g/100 in2/24 hrs at 100° F. and 100% relative humidity per ASTM F 1249. A polymeric film having a 2% secant modulus in the machine direction of 300 MPa to 700 MPa; an oxygen transmission rate of greater than 300 cc/100 in2/24 h at 100° F., a water vapor transmission rate of greater than 0.5 g/100 in2/24 hrs at 100° F. and 100% relative humidity; an Elmendorf tear strength in the MD of from 50 g to 400 g; an Elmendorf tear strength in the transverse direction of from 150 g to 400 g, a dart drop strength of from 200 g to about 500 g, a haze of from 0% to 85% and, gloss at 45° of from 5% to 70%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gene silencing, and in particular to compositions of hairpin siRNAs. The present invention also relates to methods of synthesizing hairpin siRNAs and double-stranded siRNAs in vitro and in vivo, and to methods of using such siRNAs to inhibit gene expression. In some embodiments, hairpin siRNAs possess strand selectivity. In other embodiments, more than one hairpin siRNAs is present in a single RNA structure/molecule.

Abstract: A peptide having growth factor type activity (mitogenic and agonist/antagonist for the EGF receptor) which is a TGF-.alpha. analog but contains a bicyclic Pro analog (for instance D-2-azabicyclo[2,2,1]heptane-3-carboxylic acid), an N-terminal Phe or Trp residue, and a disulfide bridge.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a hose on a pipe end has a band (4) which encircles the hose with one end (6) of the band overlying the other end (7) in sliding engagement, a housing (8) which is fixed to one band end (6), a worm drive (10) within and free to move relative to the housing (8) and which engages a toothed track or like which runs longitudinally along the length of the band (4), and a stack of Belleville washers or like (20) which acts between the housing (8) and the worm drive (10) to urge them apart and so to tighten the band around the hose should the tension fall below the limit set by manual operation of the worm drive at the time of installation.

Abstract: A process for treating effluent water of a poultry processing plant for reuse in that plant. According to the present invention, a treatment of the effluent with a strong oxidant and with a substance to reduce the pH to less than 5.2 pH units, and preferably about 3.0.+-.0.5 pH units causes a floc to form together with a destruction of bacteria and a breaking of the oils and greases. The floc contains the impurities such that the water separated from the floc is sufficiently purified for reuse in certain processing steps in the plant. In the case of treating effluent water from the poultry chiller tank(s), the product water can be reused in the tank(s). In the preferred form of the process, formation of the floc is enhanced by the addition of an anionic polymer or other thickener/strengthener, and separation is achieved by dissolved air flotation techniques. A final filtration can be utilized after a readjustment of the pH to near neutral to match new water to be used in the plant.

Abstract: An indexable rotary cylindrical magazine has part pockets around the periphery parallel to the magazine axis. A guide supplies parts end-to-end to an entrance end of a pocket in a loading position. A reciprocable feed finger engages the downstream end of any part in a pocket at the loading position to index the magazine to the next pocket only if the part is substantially completely received in that pocket at the loading position. Stripper prongs remove the parts from the filled pockets and supply them side-by-side into a part chute. A utilization machine such as a planetary thread rolling machine has a feed mechanism to receive parts from the chute exit and feed them into the threading area. The feed mechanism has feed-in, retract and a dwell range and the parts have approximately twice the length of time to be received in a pocket at the loading position as the time duration of said dwell range.

Abstract: Drive is transmitted from a cam to a push rod via a body of liquid trapped between two pistons. A control element is normally urged against a seat by pressure in the body of liquid but can be lifted off its seat by the application of pressure to liquid in a control chamber. When the control element moves clear of its seat, liquid trapped between the pistons acts on a seat-engaging face of the control element and displaces the control element instead of driving the push rod.