Abstract: A lading storage device is provided for more effectively utilizing the interior of the storage device. The storage device comprises a pair of at least generally opposed walls and a retractable lading support on each of the walls. The retractable lading supports are in opposed relation to each other and each comprise a retractable support member. Typically, each retractable support member is movable between an extended position, wherein the retractable support member extends into an interior of the lading storage device, and a retracted position, wherein the retractable support member is generally upright. Preferably, at least one of the walls includes a recess in a portion of the wall, wherein the retractable lading support is disposed within the recess when the retractable lading support is in its retracted position. A method of using the lading storage device is also provided.

Abstract: Erosion resistant gas turbine engine compressor airfoil substrates coated with a diamond-like coating (DLC), wherein the coated airfoil substrates are protected from ingested abrasive particulates. The DLC may be applied to an airfoil surface of an axial flow compressor blade or stator vane via a hydrogen-free chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process by ablation of a graphite target in a vacuum. The DLC may be comprised predominantly of sp3 (tetrahedral) carbon, and may be devoid of detectable amounts of hydrogen. Methods for making erosion resistant compressor components are also disclosed, together with gas turbine engines incorporating such components, and vehicles incorporating such engines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sampling semivolatile compounds is disclosed. A collection bag is placed around an air conditioning vent on an aircraft. An opening in the collection bag receives air from the air conditioning vent into the bag. An exit in the collection bag allows the air sample to escape from the collection bag. Vacuum applied by tubing at the exit pulls the air sample from the bag. Flow is adjusted so that the inflow into the collection bag exceeds the outtake, thereby inflating the bag. The inflation of the collection bag assures that the air being sampled is only air originating from the air conditioning vent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the three dimensional structure of human collagenase 3 (MMP-13), as well as to (i) methods of using the MMP-13 structure to rationally design or identify compounds or molecules that inhibit or activate MMP-13 activity, and (ii) compounds identified using said methods.

Abstract: Provided are methods of evaluating binding or a compound to a biomolecule. The methods utilize 1D NMR of the compound and 1D or 2D NMR of the biomolecule-compound mixture, along with 2D HSQC or TROSY methodology if a biomolecule-compound complex is formed. These methods are useful for evaluating biomolecule binding with more than one compound, e.g., a library of compounds, either individually or in mixtures. The methods are also useful for NMR evaluation of the effects of competition between a compound and a known binder such as an inhibitor of biomolecule activity.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the crystal structure of Acyl Carrier Protein Synthase (ACPS) complexed with Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP), the solution structure of B. subtilis ACP, and to the use of these structures in rational drug design methods to identify agents that may interact with active sites of ACPS and ACP, and to the testing of these agents to identify agents that may represent novel antibiotics.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the crystal structure of Acyl Carrier Protein Synthase (ACPS) complexed with Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP), the solution structure of B. subtilis ACP, and to the use of these structures in rational drug design methods to identify agents that may interact with active sites of ACPS and ACP, and to the testing of these agents to identify agents that may represent novel antibiotics.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the crystal structure of Acyl Carrier Protein Synthase (ACPS) complexed with Acyl Carrier Protein (ACP), the solution structure of B. subtilis ACP, and to the use of these structures in rational drug design methods to identify agents that may interact with active sites of ACPS and ACP, and to the testing of these agents to identify agents that may represent novel antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution structure of free RGS4 determined using NMR techniques. The structure includes a G&agr; binding site and an allosteric binding site. The structural information provided can be employed to identify, select or design agonists and antagonists of RGS4 activity. The invention includes two dimensional and three dimensional models and representations of the structure of free RGS4 based upon structural coordinates that are provided that are useful in the methods described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the three dimensional solution structure of interleukin-13 (IL-13), as well as the identification and characterization of various binding active sites of IL-13. Also provided for by the present invention are methods of utilizing the three dimensional structure for the design and selection of potent and selective agents that interact with IL-13.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of structure-based drug design using mass spectrometry/NMR.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making silica. A liquid, preferably halide-free, silicon-containing compound capable of being converted by thermal oxidative decomposition to SiO2 is provided and introduced directly into the flame of a combustion burner, which converts the compound to silica, thereby forming finely divided amorphous soot. The soot is vaporized at the site where the liquid is converted into silica by pneumatically atomizing the liquid with a stream of oxygen gas, or a mixture of oxygen gas and nitrogen gas. The amorphous soot is deposited on a receptor surface where, either substantially simultaneously with or subsequently to its deposition, the soot is consolidated into a body of fused silica glass.

Abstract: In an integrated lube oil process, a lube oil stock is hydrotreated over a non-noble metal containing hydrotreating catalyst in an HDN/HDS unit to remove sulfur and nitrogen from the lube oil stock and produce an HDN/HDS unit effluent. The effluent comprises hydrodesulfurized, hydrodenitrogenated lube oil stock, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. The hydrogen sulfide and ammonia are stripped from the hydrodesulfurized, hydrodenitrogenated lube oil stock to form a liquid stream comprising stripped lube oil stock and a first gas stream comprising hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and molecular hydrogen. The stripped lube oil stock is hydrotreated over a noble-metal containing hydrotreating catalyst in an HDW unit to produce an HDW unit effluent comprising a dewaxed lube oil stock. A second gas stream comprising molecular hydrogen is separated from the dewaxed lube oil stock. The first gas stream is combined with the second gas stream to form a third gas stream.

Abstract: A process for saturating aromatics in a lube range hydrocarbon is disclosed. The process can be used to raise the viscosity index of the lube range products. The process is carried out over a noble metal catalyst under mild process conditions. The catalyst is resistant to sulfur and nitrogen compounds.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for applying a curable resin, such as a photosensitive resin, to a substrate such as a papermaker's dewatering felt. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate; providing a curable liquid resin; providing a second material different from the curable liquid resin; applying the second material to the substrate to occupy at least some of the voids in the substrate intermediate the first and second surfaces of the substrate; applying the curable resin to the substrate; curing at least some of the resin to provide a resin layer on the substrate; and removing at least some of the second material from the substrate, wherein at least some of the second material is removed from the substrate after applying the curable resin to the substrate.

Abstract: Environmental monitoring of low concentration of organic compounds in a medium such as ground water or another environmental fluid is effected by using a diffusion cell (112) having a polymeric membrane formed into a helical tube (125) and immersed in the environmental fluid so that organic compounds at ppb and ppt concentrations diffuse into and through the polymeric material. A carrier gas in the polymeric tube acquires a concentration of the organic compounds substantially in equilibrium with the concentration of the organic compounds in the environmental fluid. For the purpose of permitting monitoring with detectors (116) which are not sensitive to extremely low levels of organic compounds, a concentrating device such as a thermal desorption tube (114) can be provided for processing the gas and periodic thermal activation to discharge therefrom organic compounds to be detected at a sensor.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for applying a curable resin, such as a photosensitive resin, to a substrate such as a papermaker's dewatering felt. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate; providing a curable liquid resin; providing a second material different from the curable liquid resin; applying the second material to the substrate to occupy at least some of the voids in the substrate intermediate the first and second surfaces of the substrate; applying the curable resin to the substrate; curing at least some of the resin to provide a resin layer on the substrate; and removing at least some of the second material from the substrate, wherein at least some of the second material is removed from the substrate after applying the curable resin to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for optimizing a pattern where the shape of the pattern is replicated on a surface, where fine areas are identified within the pattern and are combined with neighboring areas so as to reduce the number of areas within the pattern too fine to properly resolve, thereby increasing the efficacy with which the pattern is replicated.

Abstract: An automatic vacuum feed and hold down system is provided having a transport belt with vacuum grippers, a peripheral vacuum channel surrounding the platen, and a lead edge blow apparatus. In the preferred embodiment the transport belt consists of polyester fabric selectively coated with plastisol sealant to define a window area similarly shaped but smaller than the platen and suction grippers within the window area. In the preferred mode of operation a lifting apparatus raises the belt away from the exposed photosensitive sheet on the platen and the natural curl of the sheet, together with the lead edge blow, cause the sheet to release from the platen. The lifting apparatus then lowers the belt and suction is reapplied to the grippers, whereafter the belt and sheet are raised and advanced to deliver the exposed photosensitive sheet for processing.

Abstract: A solid fuel feed system for a boiler in which a hopper is provided for storing the fuel and a discharge conduit is provided for discharging the fuel to the boiler. A first conveyor belt system conveys the fuel from an inlet to the hopper and a second conveyor system transfers the fuel from the hopper to the discharge conduit. A control system is provided for controlling the speed of the first conveyor system in response to the amount of the fuel in the hopper and a second control system responds to the operation of the boiler for controlling the speed of the second conveyor system.