Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a combustor is provided. The combustor includes a combustion chamber having a first inlet adapted to provide a first air flow to the combustion chamber in a first direction, a fuel controller adapted to provide a fuel flow to the combustion chamber in the first direction, an opposing inlet adapted to provide an opposing air flow to the combustion chamber in a second direction generally in opposition to the first direction and wherein the first air flow and the fuel flow interact with the opposing air flow to form a stagnation zone in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas turbine system is provided. The gas turbine system includes a compressor assembly configured to compress ambient air and a combustor in flow communication with the compressor assembly, the combustor being configured to receive compressed air from the compressor assembly and to combust a first fuel stream to generate a combustor exit gas stream. The gas turbine system includes a first turbine located downstream of the combustor and configured to partially expand the combustor exit gas stream and a reheating device in flow communication with the first turbine. The reheating device is configured to introduce a second fuel stream in a transverse direction to a working gas stream from the first turbine for combusting the fuel in presence of the working gas stream. The gas turbine system also includes a second turbine configured to expand an exit gas stream from the reheating device.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides a combustor assembly for use in a gas-turbine device. The combustor assembly includes a first combustion zone and a second combustion zone. The combustor assembly further includes a first premix chamber configured to receive a fuel and air to facilitate a first fuel-air mixture having a first fuel-to-air ratio, wherein the first premix chamber is fluidiclly coupled to the combustion chamber at the first combustion zone. The combustor assembly also includes a second premix chamber configured to receive a fuel and air to facilitate a second fuel-air mixture having a second fuel-to-air ratio, wherein the second premix chamber is fluidiclly coupled to the combustion chamber at the second combustion zone, wherein the second combustion zone is radially outboard of the first combustion zone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward methods for the production of non-infectious, replication-deficient, immunogenic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-like particles. These particles are prepared from a recombinant expression vector comprising a heterologous promoter operatively connected to a DNA molecule comprising a modified HIV genome devoid of the long terminal repeat (LTR) regulatory regions but containing at least the gag and pol genes in their natural genomic arrangement. This vector is introduced into mammalian cells to produce the particles of interest. These particles should prove useful in a number of diagnostic, virologic, and immunologic applications.

Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acid molecules are described. The molecules have two nucleic acid sequences, wherein the first nucleic acid sequence is a truncated A subunit coding region obtained or derived from a bacterial ADP-ribosylating exotoxin, and the second nucleic acid sequence is a truncated B subunit coding region. Vectors and compositions containing these molecules are also described. Methods for enhancing an immune response against an antigen of interest using these recombinant nucleic acid molecules and compositions are also described.

Abstract: An approach to genetic vaccine methodology is described. A genetic construction encoding antigenic determinants of a virus is transfected into cells of the vaccinated individuals using a particle acceleration protocol so as to express the viral antigens in healthy cells to produce an immune response to those antigens.

Abstract: An electronically controlled gas burner system and method using a micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) valve. The system includes at least one gas burner and MEMS valves comprising an array of microvalves in fluid communication with the gas burner. The system also includes a microvalve controller for controlling the opening of each of the microvalves in the MEMS valve. The MEMS valve may be positioned remote from, or within, the gas burner. A method for controlling microvalves in a MEMS valve for firing a gas burner may include issuing a command for a desired gas flow and controlling an opening of at least some of the microvalves in the array to provide the desired gas flow corresponding to the command.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor can downstream of a pre-mixer has a pre-mixer flowpath therein and circumferentially spaced apart swirling vanes disposed across the pre-mixer flowpath. A primary fuel injector is positioned for injecting fuel into the pre-mixer flowpath. A combustion chamber surrounded by an annular combustor liner disposed in supply flow communication with the pre-mixer. An annular trapped dual vortex cavity located at an upstream end of the combustor liner is defined between an annular aft wall, an annular forward wall, and a circular radially outer wall formed therebetween. A cavity opening at a radially inner end of the cavity is spaced apart from the radially outer wall. Air injection first holes are disposed through the forward wall and air injection second holes are disposed through the aft wall. Fuel injection holes are disposed through at least one of the forward and aft walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to introduce a nucleic acid molecule into a felid by administration of a nucleic acid-cationic lipid complex composition. The method includes the step of administering to the felid, by a parenteral route, a nucleic acid-cationic lipid complex to elicit and/or enhance an immune response. In one embodiment, this method enhances the immune response in a felid compared to a method in which a naked DNA vaccine is administered to a felid. Also provided is a method to deliver a nucleic acid to a felid. This method comprises parenterally administering to the felid a composition that includes a nucleic acid molecule complexed with a cationic lipid.

Abstract: A system of lasers is used to precisely locate the spot for placing a racked set of pool balls and to identify the porch line of a pool game.

Abstract: Recombinant nucleic acid molecules are described. The molecules have a first nucleic acid sequence encoding in antigen containing two or more cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, wherein said epitopes are selected from the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and analogues of any thereof which can be recognised by a CDS8— T cell that recognises an epitope with the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. Peptides encoded by the molecules and vectors and compositions containing these molecules are also described. Methods of eliciting an immune response using these molecules are also described.

Abstract: An immunogenic retrovirus-like particle which is non-infectious and non-replicating and which is useful as a candidate vaccine component against retroviral infections, including AIDS and ATLL, is produced by genetic engineering. A DNA molecule comprising a retroviral genome devoid of long terminal repeats is incorporated into an expression vector, which is introduced into mammalian cells for expression of the retrovirus-like particle.

Abstract: An immunogenic retrovirus-like particle which is non-infectious and non-replicating and which is useful as a candidate vaccine component against retroviral infections, including AIDS and ATLL, is produced by genetic engineering. A DNA molecule comprising a retroviral genome devoid of long terminal repeats is incorporated into an expression vector, which is introduced into mammalian cells for expression of the retrovirus-like particle.

Abstract: A novel conjugated protein produced by recombinant DNA techniques comprises a low molecular weight carrier protein portion that is normally self-aggregating to an immunogenic higher molecular weight proteinaceous material and a hapten portion wich is a peptide fraction that contains an epitope for an antigen for a pathogenic disease attached to the low molecular weight carrier portion. On aggregation of the self-aggregating protein, the hapten is on the surface of the viral particle, allowing for recognition of the hapten by the immune system. Upon introduction in vivo, the viral protein produces antibodies to both the self-aggregating protein and the hapten. A plurality of the conjugated proteins having different haptens can be combined into a viral protein to provide multi specific vacicines conferring immunity to a variety of pathogenic agents.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward nucleic acids encoding self-assembled, non-infectious, non-replicating, immunogenic retrovirus-like particles comprising modified HIV-1 genomes devoid of long terminal repeats and containing nucleotide sequences encoding chimeric envelope glycoproteins. Retrovirus-like particles containing chimeric envelope glycoproteins were expressed in mammalian cells by using inducible promoters. One preferred embodiment discloses the engineering of a series of expression vectors in which a synthetic oligomer encoding gp120 residues 306 to 328 (amino acids YNKRKRIHIGP GRAFYTTKNIIG) from the V3 loop of the MN viral isolate was inserted at various positions within the endogenous HIV-1.sub.LAI env gene. Expression studies revealed that insertion of the heterologous V3(MN) loop segment resulted in the secretion of fully assembled HIV-like particles containing chimeric LAI/MN envelope glycoproteins. Both V3 loop epitopes were recognized by loop-specific neutralizing antibodies.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward self-assembled, non-infectious, non-replicating, immunogenic retrovirus-like particles comprising modified HIV-1 genomes devoid of long terminal repeats and containing nucleotide sequences encoding chimeric envelope glycoproteins. Retrovirus-like particles containing chimeric envelope glycoproteins were expressed in mammalian cells by using inducible promoters. One preferred embodiment discloses the engineering of a series of expression vectors in which a synthetic oligomer encoding gp120 residues 306 to 328 (amino acids YNKRKRIHIGP GRAFYTTKNIIG) from the V3 loop of the MN viral isolate was inserted at various positions within the endogenous HIV-1.sub.LAI env gene. Expression studies revealed that insertion of the heterologous V3(MN) loop segment resulted in the secretion of fully assembled HIV-like particles containing chimeric LAI/MN envelope glycoproteins. Both V3 loop epitopes were recognized by loop-specific neutralizing antibodies.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward diagnostic kits and antigens useful for the detection of viral antigens in a test sample. The kit contains antigens obtained from self-assembled, non-infectious, non-replicating, immunogenic retrovirus-like particles comprising modified HIV-1 genomes devoid of long terminal repeats and containing nucleotide sequences encoding chimeric envelope glycoproteins. One preferred embodiment discloses the engineering of a series of expression vectors in which a synthetic oligomer encoding gp120 residues 306 to 328 (amino acids YNKRKRIHIGP GRAFYTTKNIIG) from the V3 loop of the MN viral isolate was inserted at various positions within the endogenous HIV-1.sub.LAI env gene. Expression studies revealed that insertion of the heterologous V3(MN) loop segment resulted in the secretion of fully assembled HIV-like particles containing chimeric LAI/MN envelope glycoproteins. Both V3 loop epitopes were recognized by loop-specific neutralizing antibodies.

Abstract: This invention is directed towards nucleic acid molecules capable of producing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) retrovirus-like particles, which are non-infectious, replication defective, and immunogenic. Recombinant HIV genomes were generated that are devoid of long terminal repeats (LTRs) but contain a heterologous, inducible metallothionein promoter. Additional modifications have been made to the primer binding site, pol, vif, and env coding regions. Upon transfection into a suitable host these DNA molecules are capable of producing HIV retrovirus-like particles that lack genomic RNA. These non-infectious particles will provide suitable antigens for HIV diagnostic assays and immunogenic preparations.

Abstract: An immunogenic HIV retrovirus-like particle which is non-infectious and non-replicating and which is useful as a candidate vaccine component against HIV infection, is produced by genetic engineering. A DNA molecule comprising the HIV genome devoid of long terminal repeats is incorporated into an expression vector, which is introduced into mammalian cells for expression of the HIV retrovirus-like particle.

Abstract: A batch-brewing coffee system brews a number of cups of coffee at the same time and stores the brewed coffee at a reduced temperature until it is needed to prevent deterioration of flavor. The coffee is then dispensed as needed, with an approximately one cup of volume being either quickly heated in a heat exchanger on demand, or alternatively approximately one cup of coffee could be maintained hot and ready to dispense on demand.