Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus and method for irradiating a product package, comprising a radiation source directing a radiation beam along a beam direction towards said product package, conveying means for transporting said product package past said radiation source along a transport path, and reflecting means located on at least one side of the plane formed by said beam direction and said transport path. By adjusting the distance and angle of the reflecting means to the conveyor and beam, and improved dose uniformity ratio is obtained.

Abstract: A method for potentiating the activity of a chemotherapeutic drug administered in combination with a biological agent is described. The method includes entrapping the chemotherapeutic drug in a liposome and administering the liposome-entrapped drug in combination with the biological agent. The method is particularly useful for treatment of cancer which over-express tyrosine kinase receptor and for B-cell lymphomas, where, for example, anti-HER2 antibodies or anti-CD19 antibodies are administered in combination with the cytotoxic drug.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of modifying a rotor blade, and a rotor blade are provided. The rotor blade is for a steam turbine and it is modified to facilitate altering a natural vibratory frequency of the rotor blade, the rotor blade includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, wherein the first and second sidewalls are connected axially at the leading and trailing edges, and the sidewalls extending radially between a rotor blade root to a rotor blade tip. The method includes determining a vibratory resonance condition of the rotor blade and forming a blade extension between the rotor blade root and the rotor blade tip that alters the determined resonance condition.

Abstract: A compressor blade includes an airfoil portion having a leading edge, a radially inner attachment portion, and a platform between the airfoil portion and the attachment portion, wherein material is removed from the attachment portion to form an undercut at a front face thereof to thereby provide an overhang radially inward of the platform and leading edge of the airfoil portion, the undercut defined by a narrow entry slot opening into a rearward transverse groove.

Abstract: An inhibitor of the rennin-angiotensin system is useful for the treatment or prevention of the lipodystrophy syndrome, e.g. in AIDS patients also receiving anti-retroviral therapy.

Abstract: A compact fuel processing reactor. The reactor includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a process gas and an outlet for a directing a product gas out of the housing. A catalyst bed that includes discrete particles of a refractory material is located within the housing for contacting the process gas. A coiled tubing heat exchanger is at least partially disposed within the catalyst bed for cooling the catalyst bed. The coiled tubing can comprise a smooth continuous outer surface in intimate contact with the discrete particles. The circulating cooling medium comprises water in liquid, gas or a mixture of liquid and gas phases. The discrete particles in the catalyst bed are in intimate contact with at least a portion of the coiled tubing to promote heat transfer from the catalyst bed to the coiled tubing.

Abstract: A combustor for oxidizing a combustion fuel and pre-heating one or more reactants for fuel reforming. The combustor includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving a combustion fuel and an outlet for exhausting combustion products. The elongated housing further includes a cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall. Inert particles are disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet. A combustion catalyst bed is disposed within the housing above the inert particles that is a mixture of inert particles and combustion catalyst. The inert particles and the combustion catalyst preferably have a volumetric ratio of inert particles to catalyst between about 2:1 and about 4:1. The combustor has at least one heat exchanger within the combustion catalyst bed for heating a reformer reactant and generating steam. Preferably, the combustor includes at least two heat exchangers within the combustion catalyst bed, the heat exchanging elements have different surface areas.

Abstract: A plasma-based fuel reformer in which a fuel/air mixture is subjected to an electrical plasma arc that reforms the fuel/air mixture into a hydrogen-rich gas. The reformer includes a first electrode defining a reaction chamber and a second electrode axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first electrode. A plasma arc forms between the first and the second electrodes in the reaction chamber when an electrical voltage is applied. An insulator is positioned between the first and the second electrode to prevent the formation of a plasma arc between the first and the second electrodes except in the reaction chamber. Means for providing a fuel/air mixture to the reaction chamber and means for diverting the air flow into the reaction chamber so as to create a vortex-like flow of air in the reaction chamber are also included.

Abstract: A compressor blade includes an airfoil portion having a leading edge, a radially inner attachment portion, and a platform between the airfoil portion and the attachment portion, wherein material is removed from the attachment portion to form an undercut at a front face thereof to thereby provide an overhang radially inward of the platform and leading edge of the airfoil portion.

Abstract: A blade of an axial compressor comprising: an airfoil is disclosed that has a leading edge and a root; a platform attached to the root of the airfoil; a dovetail attached to a side of the platform opposite to the airfoil; a neck of the dovetail adjacent the platform, and a slot in the neck and generally parallel to the platform, and the slot extends from a front of the neck to position in the neck beyond a line formed by the leading edge of the blade.

Abstract: A method of modifying a rotor blade, and a rotor blade are provided. The rotor blade is for a steam turbine and it is modified to facilitate altering a natural vibratory frequency of the rotor blade, the rotor blade includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, wherein the first and second sidewalls are connected axially at the leading and trailing edges, and the sidewalls extending radially between a rotor blade root to a rotor blade tip. The method includes determining a vibratory resonance condition of the rotor blade and forming a blade extension between the rotor blade root and the rotor blade tip that alters the determined resonance condition.

Abstract: A compressor blade includes an airfoil portion having a leading edge, a radially inner attachment portion, and a platform between the airfoil portion and the attachment portion, wherein material is removed from the attachment portion to form an undercut at a front face thereof to thereby provide an overhang radially inward of the platform and leading edge of the airfoil portion.

Abstract: A plasma-based fuel reformer in which a fuel/air mixture is subjected to conditions including an electrical plasma arc that reforms the fuel air mixture into a hydrogen-rich gas. The reformer includes a first electrode having an inner and outer wall and a longitudinal axis, the inner wall defining a reaction chamber and a second electrode, the second electrode being axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first electrode. The second electrode is positioned in the reaction chamber such that when an electrical voltage is applied to the first and second electrodes a plasma arc forms between the first and the second electrode in the reaction chamber. An insulator is positioned between the first and the second electrode so as to prevent the formation of a plasma arc between the first and the second electrodes except in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: An ignition coil assembly of the type which is directly mounted onto an associated internal combustion engine spark plug. The coil assembly includes a spark plug boot section made of a highly elastic material with an inside cylindrical passageway. The inside passageway features ribs which engage a high voltage connection coil spring positioned in the passageway to make an electrical connection between the coil and spark plug high voltage terminals. The spring has a generally constant outside diameter outer section except its end segments have a reduced diameter where they contact the high voltage terminals. The passageway ribs retain the spring in position prior to its installation and after its removal from the associated spark plug.

Abstract: The present invention concerns vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which has utility in the treatment of intimal hyperplasia, hypertension and atherosclerosis, and of conditions susceptible to treatment with agents that produce nitric oxide or prostacyclin. Instead of VEGF, an equivalent agent such as an agonist of VEGF receptors may be given, as may nucleic acid encoding such an agonist. The agent may successfully be administered via the adventitial surface of a blood vessel, e.g., using a device which defines a reservoir between the body wall and the vessel's adventitial surface, the reservoir being at least part-filled by a pharmaceutical formulation containing the agent to be delivered.

Abstract: Use of a compound of formula (I): wherein X is optionally substituted aminoalkyl, optionally substituted alkylene or an interactive group; Y and Z may be the same or different and are selected from N, O, S and C(R′) wherein R′ is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl or optionally substituted alkenyl; ---- is a double bond unless the attached Y or Z group is O or S in which case it is a single bond; and R1 to R11 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, a sterically hindering group and an electron donating group; or any two of R1 to R11, Y, Z, NH and R′ may together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an optionally substituted ring which may contain heteroatoms, provided that at least one of R1 to R11 is an electron donating group and that when X is NCH3, Y and Z are N and R1, R2 and R4 to R11 are hydrogen, then R3 is not OH or OCH2CH3; and salts thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, pro-drugs thereof and/or tau

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a biodegradable matrix material which is provided in a form that can be wrapped around a body part, in combination or impregnated with an agent that can be delivered to treat a condition via the adventitial surface of a body part, the agent being in a form that can be taken up by the matrix material. These components are provided for use in the treatment of the condition, for example, by using a sealant to form a seal around the matrix material when impregnated with the agent.

Abstract: Rheology-modified thermoplastic elastomer compositions are prepared by peroxide modification of a melt blend of an ethylene/&agr;-olefin polymer or a diene-modified ethylene/&agr;-olefin polymer and a high melting polymer such as polypropylene or a propylene/&agr;-olefin copolymer. The resulting compositions have an elastomeric phase, a non-elastomeric phase and certain physical properties that exceed those of a like composition that is not rheology-modified. The compositions can be used to make a variety of articles of manufacture via conventional procedures.

Abstract: It has been found that inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system are useful for the treatment or prevention of conditions associated with hypoxia or impaired metabolic function or efficiency. In particular, they may be used in connection with therapy of stroke or its recurrence, the acute treatment of myocardial infarction, and the treatment or prevention of wasting or cachexia, and are thus useful in treatment of the symptoms and signs of aging. These inhibitors may also be used to enhance function in healthy subjects.