Abstract: A system for sensing material within a container includes a container having a reservoir for storing material and an impact member configured to selectively impart an impulse force on the container to cause vibration of the container. A sensor is configured to sense the vibration of the container upon the impact member imparting the impulse force on the container. Processing circuitry in communication with the sensor is configured to determine an estimate of an amount of the material in the container based on the sensed vibration of the container.

Abstract: A system for an electrophotographic image forming device includes a toner container having a reservoir for storing toner and an impact member configured to selectively impart an impulse force on the toner container to cause vibration of the toner container. A sensor is configured to sense the vibration of the toner container upon the impact member imparting the impulse force on the toner container. Processing circuitry in communication with the sensor is configured to determine an estimate of an amount of toner in the reservoir based on the sensed vibration of the toner container.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to products for use in the treatment and/or prevention of tissue fibrosis, and to methods of identifying agents which inhibit tissue fibrosis. More specifically, the invention relates to agents that inhibit succinate dehydrogenase, and monocyte-recruited macrophage populations, for use in the treatment and/or prevention of tissue fibrosis.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated 15571, 2465, 14266, 2882, 52871, 8203 or 16852 nucleic acid molecules. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing 15571, 2465, 14266, 2882, 52871, 8203 or 16852 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a 15571, 2465, 14266, 2882, 52871, 8203 or 16852 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated 15571, 2465, 14266, 2882, 52871, 8203 or 16852 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-15571, 2465, 14266, 2882, 52871, 8203 or 16852 antibodies. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of immune disorders, especially T helper lymphocyte-related disorders, and also for the treatment of mast cell-related processes and disorders, ischemic disorders and injuries, including ischemic renal disorders and injuries. For example, genes which are differentially expressed within and among T helper (TH) cells and TH cell subpopulations, which include, but are not limited to TH0, TH1 and TH2 cell subpopulations are identified. Genes are also identified via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in the differentiation, maintenance and effector function of such TH cells and TH cell subpopulations. The genes identified can be used diagnostically or as targets for therapeutic intervention. In this regard, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of immune disorders, especially TH cell subpopulation-related disorders.

Abstract: Novel GPCR-like polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length GPCR-like proteins, the invention further provides isolated GPCR-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-GPCR-like antibodies. The invention also provides GPCR-like nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a GPCR-like gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.