Abstract: An improved coordinate measuring apparatus is provided. The coordinate measuring apparatus has a device that holds a CMM adapter plate in a way that simulates the locating points on the electromagnetic device in the CMM. Once in place, the threaded cube on the adapter plate is aligned to the CMM machine axes by holding a sliding V-block on the device against any corner of the cube. The screws that hold the threaded cube in the adapter plate are then tightened, and the adapter plate is released from the device. The threaded cube is now square to the CMM X-Y-Z axes.

Abstract: A method of operating a compressor having a row of blades for preventing a compressor stall is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of mounting a plasma generator in a casing or a shroud radially outwardly and apart from the blade tips wherein the plasma generator comprises a radially inner electrode and a radially outer electrode separated by a dielectric material; and supplying an AC potential to the radially inner electrode and the radially outer electrode.

Abstract: A plasma leakage flow control system for a compressor is disclosed, comprising a circumferential row of compressor blades, an annular casing surrounding the tips of the blades, located radially apart from the tips of the blades and at least one annular plasma generator located on the annular casing. The annular plasma generator comprises an inner electrode and an outer electrode separated by a dielectric material. A gas turbine engine having a plasma leakage flow control system further comprises an engine control system which controls the operation of the annular plasma generator such that the blade tip leakage flow can be changed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method including receiving a search request for a product; processing the search request with a processing device; generating a message containing information regarding at least one product offered by a retail vendor; transmitting the message; automatically providing the user with an option to play a game to win a selected product from the product information without the user first making any payment or requesting the option; electronically calculating a dynamic probability of winning the selected product by the user based on one or more factors; electronically and randomly generating a trial outcome for a game of chance; generating an outcome indicator; displaying the outcome indicator to the user; and in response to a winning trial outcome, purchasing the selected product for the user from the independent third-party retail vendor at no cost to the user.

Abstract: A variable stator vane airfoil is mounted on a button centered about a rotational axis and includes circular leading and trailing edges circumscribed about the rotational axis at a button radius. Contoured pressure and suction sides extend from the circular leading edge to the circular trailing edge and are recessed inwardly from a perimeter circumscribed about the rotational axis at the button radius. One of upstream and downstream pressure side portions of the contoured pressure side is straight and another of the upstream and downstream pressure side portions is curved. One of the upstream and downstream suction side portions is straight and another of the upstream and downstream suction side portions is curved. One of the upstream pressure side portion and upstream suction side portion is straight and another of the upstream pressure side portion and upstream suction side portion is curved.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for business to business communication among trading partners that use differing business rules and processes. A trading partner server provides a center for communication between the trading partners enforcing the business rules and enabling the trading partners to communicate effectively. Legally binding and non-legally binding agreements necessary to support a business discourse are handled electronically through the trading partner server.

Abstract: A base, a home plate, and a pitcher's rubber for use on synthetic turf infill material for playing baseball includes an upper portion in the shape of the at least one of base, home plate, and a pitcher's rubber, and a lower portion comprising a plurality of downwardly-depending projections extending about 1/2 inch to about 1 inch below a bottom surface of the upper portion. The plurality of downwardly-depending projections is engageable with the synthetic turf infill material for playing baseball.

Abstract: The invention provides a reading stand or document holder to support a document for review by a user. The reading stand may include a base portion including at least one aperture to allow the user to grasp the reading stand, as well as a platform portion for supporting the document. The platform portion is hingedly connected to the base portion. The platform portion includes at least one page holder for retaining the document upon the platform portion. Further, the reading stand includes a prop member. The prop member extends from a backside of the platform portion. The prop member is adapted to engage with the base portion so as to support the platform portion in an angled position.

Abstract: A compression system is disclosed, comprising a first compressor having a first flowpath, a second compressor having a second flowpath located axially aft from the first compressor, and a transition duct capable of flowing an airfow from the first compressor to the second compressor, the transition duct having at least one plasma actuator mounted in the transition duct.

Abstract: A booster system is disclosed, comprising a first rotor stage having a plurality of first rotor blades spaced circumferentially around a rotor hub with a longitudinal axis and having a first pitch-line radius extending from the longitudinal axis, a last rotor stage located axially aft from the first rotor stage, the last rotor stage comprising a plurality of last rotor blades spaced circumferentially around the longitudinal axis and having a second pitch-line radius extending from the longitudinal axis, and a gooseneck duct located axially aft from the last rotor stage and capable of receiving an airflow, the gooseneck duct comprising an inlet end and an exit end located at a distance axially aft from the inlet end and having at least one plasma actuator mounted in the gooseneck duct.

Abstract: Reference controls for use with pharmacogenomic testing, and methods for their identification, preparation, and use, are disclosed. The reference controls can confirm that pharmacogenomic testing correctly identifies individuals that do or do not have the mutation of interest, in both clinical trial and patient treatment settings. The reference controls can be selected to include one or more mutations to be identified, and prescreened to confirm that they bind to one or more of the primers used in the pharmacogenomic testing. The reference controls are human genomic DNA that includes certain identified polymorphisms (mutations) of interest, ideally derived from individuals, pre-selected and optionally properly consented, which have one or more of the polymorphism(s) of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a robust bonding material suitable for joining semiconductor processing chamber components. Other embodiments provide semiconductor processing chamber components joined using a bonding material having metal filler disposed in an adhesive layer. Other embodiments include methods for manufacturing a semiconductor processing chamber component having a bonding material that includes metal filled disposed in an adhesive layer. The metal filler is suitable for reacting with halogen containing plasmas such that a halogen based metal layer is formed on the exposed portion of the bonding material upon exposure to the plasma.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein comprise an apparatus and method for transporting a control package for a lower marine riser package (LMRP) to an offshore platform. The apparatus may include a lifting cage and a base. The lifting cage may be configured to lock to the base. The base may be configured to secure a control package in the interior of the container.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed, comprising a compressor having a circumferential row of blades, a casing surrounding the tips of the blades, located radially apart from the tips of the blades and at least one plasma generator located on the casing. The plasma generator comprises a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a dielectric material. The gas turbine engine further comprises an engine control system which controls the operation of the plasma generator such that the stable operating range of the compressor is increased.

Abstract: A method and system for managing information in a multi-hub system for supply chain management and collaborative planning. A technique is presented from managing communications in a multi-hub model. First, consistency of data throughout the system is maintained by limiting which entities in the supply chain have the authority to write to the data. Various techniques for determining which entity has such authority are presented. Second, the relative complexity of transactions is determined by identifying how much computer processing is required. Transactions that require little processing are handled by lightweight servers; transactions that required moderate to extensive processing are sent to heavyweight servers. The end user receives information about the transaction more rapidly because the transactions are processed more efficiently.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique to prevent confusion between part numbers used by different suppliers and manufacturers. The invention includes a database that (1) creates an association between part numbers that are directed to comparable parts, (2) generates a universal number for comparable parts, and (3) creates an association between the part numbers and the universal part. This set of associations is used to generate documents that include part numbers that the recipient of the document is familiar with. Limitations are placed on what authorities may provide information about a set of associations. Generally, only the supplier of a part or the supplier of a comparable part may create associations between their parts. This limitation helps maintain the integrity of information in the database. This database is coupled to a shared service network such as a hub for design collaboration or supply chain control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gene expression profiles, microarrays comprising nucleic acid sequences representing gene expression profiles and new diagnostic kits and methods. The invention further relates to treatment of specific populations of, for example, cancer patients, as characterised by their gene expression profile, suffering from Mage expressing tumours.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for collaborative planning among multiple collaborators and multiple trading partners, in which individual collaborators and individual trading partners can both make use of global information regarding parties using the system, while still being able to maintain secure and separate information regarding how those individual parties treat their counterparts. The system includes a many-to-many hub at which multiple collaborators and multiple trading partners can exchange information, the hub including a global database having public information about those multiple collaborators and multiple trading partners; the system also includes within the hub a set of private databases having secure and separate information for individual collaborators or individual trading partners.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a B2B communication or integration environment, operating using a web browser to access systems protected by an enterprise network firewall, to transfer files in a manner that is reliable, restartable, and secure. After assuring the transfer is allowed, a web browser sends a signed applet to a file transfer client, which makes an out-of-band connection to a file transfer server. The file transfer client and file transfer server interact using a bi-directional protocol suited to file transfer operations. The techniques are applicable to transferring relatively large files, for example in excess of 1 Gigabyte, and relatively smaller files in network environments that are relatively less reliable.

Abstract: The application of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors to the skin inhibits the degradation of proteins found in the skin including collagen, elastin, and other basement membrane and extracellular matrix protein. MMP inhibitors may be used in both cosmetic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions for application to skin. MMP inhibitors are formulated with a cosmetically suitable vehicle or pharmaceutically acceptable excipient for application to the skin as creams, lotions, ointments, solutions, face masks, etc. As cosmetics, the inventive MMP inhibitor compositions are applied to the skin to prevent or reduce the appearance of wrinkles, pigmentation changes, loss of elasticity, or other effects associated with aging or sun damage. As pharmaceuticals, the inventive MMP inhibitor compositions may also be applied to the skin to treat or prevent a skin disease (e.g., proliferative disease, inflammatory disease).