Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides for a turbine airfoil. The turbine airfoil may include a trailing edge having: a set of cooling channels having a first cooling channel fluidly connected to a second cooling channel; a first section having a first pin bank cooling arrangement, the first section fluidly connected to the first cooling channel; and a second section having a second pin bank cooling arrangement, the second section fluidly connected to the second cooling channel and being radially inward of the first section.

Abstract: A cooling system according to an embodiment includes: a forked passage cooling circuit, the forked passage cooling circuit including a first leg and a second leg; and an air feed cavity for supplying cooling air to the first leg and the second leg of the forked passage cooling circuit; wherein the first leg of the forked passage cooling circuit extends radially outward from and at least partially covers at least one central plenum of a multi-wall blade, and wherein the second leg of the forked passage cooling circuit extends radially outward from and at least partially covers a first set of near wall cooling channels in the multi-wall blade.

Abstract: A core for a turbine airfoil casting according to an embodiment includes: a center plenum section; and a plurality of outer passage sections; wherein the center plenum section includes at least one boss extending outwardly from the center plenum to an outer profile of the core.

Abstract: A gas turbine that having a flowpath having a rotor assembly that includes: a first rotor wheel supporting a first rotor blade having a platform that defines a first axial section of an inner boundary of the flowpath; a second rotor wheel supporting a second rotor blade having a platform that defines a second axial section of the inner boundary of the flowpath; and an annulus filler that includes an outboard surface that defines at least part of a third axial section of the inner boundary of the flowpath occurring between the first axial section and the second axial section of the inner boundary of the flowpath. The first rotor wheel may include an axial connector for axially engaging a mating surface formed on a radially innermost face of the first rotor blade and a mating surface formed on a radially innermost face of the annulus filler.

Abstract: The present invention includes composition and methods for making and using a combinatorial library to identify modified thioaptamers that bind to, and affect the immune response of a host animal, transcription factors such as IL-6, NF-?B, AP-1 and the like. Composition and methods are also provided for the treatment of viral infections, as well as, vaccines and vaccine adjuvants are provided that modify host immune responses.

Abstract: A gas turbine that having a flowpath having a rotor assembly that includes: a first rotor wheel supporting a first rotor blade having a platform that defines a first axial section of an inner boundary of the flowpath; a second rotor wheel supporting a second rotor blade having a platform that defines a second axial section of the inner boundary of the flowpath; and an annulus filler that includes an outboard surface that defines at least part of a third axial section of the inner boundary of the flowpath occurring between the first axial section and the second axial section of the inner boundary of the flowpath. The first rotor wheel may include an axial connector for axially engaging a mating surface formed on a radially innermost face of the first rotor blade and a mating surface formed on a radially innermost face of the annulus filler.

Abstract: A gas turbine that having a flowpath having a rotor assembly that includes: a first rotor wheel supporting a first rotor blade having a platform that defines a first axial section of an inner boundary of the flowpath; a second rotor wheel supporting a second rotor blade having a platform that defines a second axial section of the inner boundary of the flowpath; and an annulus filler that includes an outboard surface that defines at least part of a third axial section of the inner boundary of the flowpath occurring between the first axial section and the second axial section of the inner boundary of the flowpath. The first rotor wheel may include an axial connector for axially engaging a mating surface formed on a radially innermost face of the first rotor blade and a mating surface formed on a radially innermost face of the annulus filler.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a fluid conduit (11,18) having an inlet and an outlet, and a valve seat (24) adapted to be engaged by a valve member (40) for controlling the flow of fluid through the outlet of the fluid conduit (11,18), wherein the valve assembly is defined by at least a valve body component (10) and a valve seat component (20) engaged therewith, the valve body component (10) defining at least part of the fluid conduit (11,18), and the valve seat component (10) defining at least the valve seat (24).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of morbid obesity using minimally invasive techniques. The apparatus includes a system of components that may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines, reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines and/or depositing minimally or undigested food farther than normal into the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal responses. The components described include an artificial stoma device, a gastric sleeve device, an intestinal sleeve device, a combined gastrointestinal sleeve device and permanent and detachable attachment systems. Also described are devices for delivering and deploying the components of the system.

Abstract: The present invention includes composition and methods for making and using a combinatorial library to identify modified thioaptamers that bind to, and affect the immune response of a host animal, transcription factors such as IL-6, NF-?B, AP-1 and the like. Composition and methods are also provided for the treatment of viral infections, as well as, vaccines and vaccine adjuvants are provided that modify host immune responses.

Abstract: The present invention includes composition and methods for making and using a combinatorial library to identify modified thioaptamers that bind to, and affect the immune response of a host animal, transcription factors such as IL-6, NF-?B, AP-1 and the like. Composition and methods are also provided for the treatment of viral infections, as well as, vaccines and vaccine adjuvants are provided that modify host immune responses.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for performing protected angioplasty and stenting of a patient's carotid bifurcation. An integrated catheter system can be configured in a rapid-exchange version or in an over-the-wire version. The catheter system includes a self-expanding stent, a stent delivery sheath, a combination angioplasty balloon catheter and stent pusher catheter, an embolic protection device and, in the rapid-exchange version, an auto-releasing sheath.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a nanodelivery system and related process having complex, multilayered nanoparticles for sophisticated drug/gene delivery systems to intracellular portions of a cell. Outermost layers can include cell targeting and cell-entry facilitating molecules. The next layer can include intracellular targeting molecules for precise delivery of the nanoparticle complex inside the cell of interest. Molecular biosensors can be used to confirm the presence of expected molecules as a surrogate molecule for signs of infection, for activation in radiation damage, or other criteria, prior to delivery of counter-measure molecules such as drugs or gene therapy. The biosensors can also be used as a feedback control mechanism to control the proper amount of drug/gene delivery for each cell. Further, the nanodelivery system can be used to restrict any cells from encountering the drug unless that cell is specifically targeted. Successful targeting can be verified by 3D multispectral confocal microscopy.

Abstract: A kit for forming a sterile cleaning solution. The kit is comprised of a container, a packet, a first flexible package and a second flexible package. The container contains a liquid and has an opening and a removable cap sealing the opening. The packet contains a pre-measured amount of an active agent. The first flexible package is dimensioned to enclose the container and the packet. The second flexible package is dimensioned to enclose the first flexible package, the container and the packet.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of morbid obesity using minimally invasive techniques. The apparatus includes a system of components that may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines, reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines and/or depositing minimally or undigested food farther than normal into the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal responses. The components described include an artificial stoma device, a gastric sleeve device, an intestinal sleeve device, a combined gastrointestinal sleeve device and permanent and detachable attachment systems. Also described are devices for delivering and deploying the components of the system.

Abstract: A catheter system and method are described for stenting a vessel at a bifurcation or sidebranch of the vessel. The catheter system includes a first balloon catheter, a second balloon catheter and a releasable linking device for holding the first and second balloon catheters arranged in a side-by-side configuration and aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis. The linking device allows the catheter system to be advanced as a unit and helps prevent premature or inadvertent dislodgement of the stent from the catheters, yet is releasable so that one or both of the balloon catheters can be released from the linking device and maneuvered separately from the rest of the catheter system when desired. The method utilizes the described catheter system for stenting bifurcated vessels using a modified “kissing balloons” technique.

Abstract: The present invention includes composition and methods for making and using a combinatorial library to identify modified thioaptamers that bind to, and affect the immune response of a host animal, transcription factors such as IL-6, NF-&kgr;B, AP-1 and the like. Composition and methods are also provided for the treatment of viral infections, as well as, vaccines and vaccine adjuvants are provided that modify host immune responses.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for treatment of morbid obesity using minimally invasive techniques. The apparatus includes a system of components that may be used separately or in combination for effectively reducing stomach volume, bypassing a portion of the stomach and/or small intestines, reducing nutrient absorption in the stomach and/or small intestines and/or depositing minimally or undigested food farther than normal into the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal responses. The components described include an artificial stoma device, a gastric sleeve device, an intestinal sleeve device, a combined gastrointestinal sleeve device and permanent and detachable attachment systems. Also described are devices for delivering and deploying the components of the system.