Abstract: The current invention relates to genetically engineered mice, cells derived from those mice, and polynucleotides and polypeptides corresponding to genes affected by the engineered mutation. The invention also relates to antibodies raised in a mouse of the invention. The invention further provides methods for using the mice, cells, polynucleotides, polypeptides and antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a nasal prong assembly including a pair of nasal prongs structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use and headgear to maintain the nasal prong assembly in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear includes side straps and rigidizers provided to respective side straps. Each rigidizer includes a first end portion that provides a connector structured to engage a respective end of the nasal prong assembly and an inwardly curved protrusion in the form of a cheek support that curves inwardly of the connector. The cheek support is adapted to follow the contour of the patient's cheek and guide a respective end portion of the side strap into engagement with the patient's cheek to provide a stable cheek support.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modelling a physical phenomenon that has associated spectral data. The method includes the step of obtaining the spectral data (12) on at least two samples (10) from a material, substrate or electrical activity such as electrical activity of a brain. The method includes performing an analysis of the samples of the phenomenon (15) and storing the spectral data and characteristic information in a library (14). The method includes generating from the library an individualized modelling equation as a function of the spectral data and characteristic information, wherein the modelling equation includes linear and non-linear dimensions and wherein the step of generating includes a type of kernel-learning means (17) for reducing at least the non-linear dimensions associated with the modelling equation. The method may include a validation step in which performance of the model may be assessed based on a simulation of real world use (18), ie.

Abstract: A method and computer program for facilitating back office check conversion in a retail establishment, such as during reconciliation of cash drawers. The method broadly includes the steps of retrieving first check data from a point of sale system; imaging the check to capture second check data; comparing the first and second check data to confirm that they are substantially identical; determining whether the check is eligible for automated processing; and, if so, adding the image of the check to an electronic file for subsequent transmission of the check data to a financial institution. The method may also include allowing for scheduling automatic resubmission of a returned check. The method may also include maintaining a database of the check data, and allowing for accessing and searching the database for particular check data via an electronic network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising disruptions in PRO188, PRO235, PRO266, PRO337, PRO361, PRO539, PRO698, PRO717, PRO846, PRO874, PRO98346, PRO1082, PRO1097, PRO1192, PRO1268, PRO1278, PRO1303, PRO1308, PRO1338, PRO1378, PRO1415, PRO1867, PRO1890, PRO3438, PRO19835, PRO36915, PRO36029, PRO4999, PRO5778, PRO5997, PRO6079, PRO6090, PRO7178, PRO21184, PRO7434, PRO9822, PRO9833, PRO9836, PRO9854, PRO9862, PRO10284, PRO37510, PRO35444, PRO20473, PRO21054 or PRO35246 genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising disruptions in PRO196, PRO217, PRO231, PRO236, PRO245, PRO246, PRO258, PRO287, PRO328, PRO344, PRO357, PRO526, PRO724, PRO731, PRO732, PRO1003, PRO1104, PRO1151, PRO1244, PRO1298, PRO1313, PRO1570, PRO1886, PRO1891, PRO4409, PRO5725, PRO5994, PRO6097, PRO7425, PRO10102, PRO10282, PRO61709 or PRO779 genes. Such in vivo studies and characterizations may provide valuable identification and discovery of therapeutics and/or treatments useful in the prevention, amelioration or correction of diseases or dysfunctions associated with gene disruptions such as neurological disorders; cardiovascular, endothelial or angiogenic disorders; eye abnormalities; immunological disorders; oncological disorders; bone metabolic abnormalities or disorders; lipid metabolic disorders; or developmental abnormalities.

Abstract: The present application is a continuation-in-part under 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b) of pending prior international application PCT/US2007/61927 filed on Feb. 9, 2007, which claims priority to provisional application No. 60/774,895 filed on Feb. 17, 2006, now abandoned, the entire disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising disruptions in PRO224, PRO9783, PRO1108, PRO34000, PRO240, PRO943, hu A33, PRO230, PRO178, PRO1199, PRO4333, PRO1336, PRO19598, PRO1083, hu TRPM2 or PRO1801 genes. Such in vivo studies and characterizations may provide valuable identification and discovery of therapeutics and/or treatments useful in the prevention, amelioration or correction of diseases or dysfunctions associated with gene disruptions such as neurological disorders; cardiovascular, endothelial or angiogenic disorders; eye abnormalities; immunological disorders; oncological disorders; bone metabolic abnormalities or disorders; lipid metabolic disorders; or developmental abnormalities.

Abstract: Communicating and matching electronic files for a check adjustment case comprises communicating an electronic check adjustment message comprising key data relating to the case, communicating an electronic image of a document to follow (“DTF”) related to the case, associating the key data with the electronic DTF image, determining whether the electronic message's key data matches the key data associated with the electronic DTF image, and linking the electronic message to the electronic DTF image in response to a determination that the electronic message's key data matches the key data associated with the electronic DTF image. If the DTF image's key data does not match the message's key data, matching electronic files can comprise correcting errors in the key data associated with the electronic DTF image and performing a secondary match routine. An operator accesses the electronic message and the linked DTF image to resolve the check adjustment case.

Abstract: An isolation system for a ball-screw assembly including: a ball-screw; a ball-screw nut wherein the ball-screw is configured to engage the ball-screw nut, the ball-screw nut is enclosed in a ball-screw nut container; and a member disposed between the ball-screw nut and the ball-screw nut container, the member having selected properties. A method of providing a degree of freedom to a steering mechanism, the method including: selecting a member, the member having selected properties; and interposing the member between a ball-screw nut and a ball-screw nut container.

Abstract: A method for reinforcing an end of a metal tube, and a resultant receiver tube for a motor vehicle trailer hitch assembly, wherein the method and resultant tube does not require creating a fold in the metal tube to create a reinforcing lip. The integral lip is formed by the plastic deforming a length of the first end of the tube extending beyond the die wherein the deformable length is less than or equal to two times the wall thickness of the tube.

Abstract: Communicating and matching electronic files for a check adjustment case comprises communicating an electronic check adjustment message comprising key data relating to the case, communicating an electronic image of a document to follow (“DTF”) related to the case, associating the key data with the electronic DTF image, determining whether the electronic message's key data matches the key data associated with the electronic DTF image, and linking the electronic message to the electronic DTF image in response to a determination that the electronic message's key data matches the key data associated with the electronic DTF image. If the DTF image's key data does not match the message's key data, matching electronic files can comprise correcting errors in the key data associated with the electronic DTF image and performing a secondary match routine. An operator accesses the electronic message and the linked DTF image to resolve the check adjustment case.

Abstract: An isolation system for a ball-screw assembly including: a ball-screw; a ball-screw nut wherein the ball-screw is configured to engage the ball-screw nut, the ball-screw nut is enclosed in a ball-screw nut container; and a member disposed between the ball-screw nut and the ball-screw nut container, the member having selected properties.

Abstract: Melt processed linear polyethylenes containing an amine additive are shown to exhibit improved processability through the addition of certain surfactants. The amine compounds are generally one or more hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS), amine antistats, amine antioxidants or amine based UV inhibitors. Among the melt processing parameters improved are reduced head pressure, reduced torque, reduced motor load, reduced or eliminated melt fracture, or combinations of these parameters. The surfactants can be chosen from a non-aromatic sulfonate or sulfate salt wherein a cation of the salt is selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Li, and other alkali cations and a quaternary ammonium cations, said surfactant being essentially free of halogens.

Abstract: A method for screening candidate compounds for an ability to modulate the biological activity of a target. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate comprising a target and an indicator, the substrate adapted for receiving a plurality of candidate compounds; contacting the substrate with a plurality of candidate compound samples in a manner wherein an identity of each candidate compound can be determined and wherein the candidate compounds in the candidate compound samples interact with the target in the substrate; detecting a signal, the signal produced by the indicator upon interaction between the target and a candidate compound; and identifying a candidate compound as a modulator of the biological activity of the target based upon an amount of signal produced.

Abstract: The vehicle rack and pinion steering system has an elongated rack bar. Tie rod connectors are provided on the ends of the bar. A rack gear teeth section is provided on the rack bar in a position parallel to and spaced from the rack axis. A cylindrical bearing surface is on the opposite side of the rack axis from the rack gear teeth section. The bearing surface has a fixed radius and is concentric with the rack axis. The rack section width is at least twice the fixed radius. Secondary bearing contact surfaces join the bearing surface, extend toward the rack gear teeth section and diverge from each other. Contact between the bearing and surface shifts the point of convergence of forces on the rack toward the pitch point.

Abstract: An electric power steering assist mechanism with an isolated output shaft for a motor vehicle. An output shaft has a steering hand wheel disposed on an upper end and has an opposing lower end ultimately operably connected to the steerable wheels of the motor vehicle. The output shaft is concentrically received and rotatably supported within a tubular speed reducing gear, which is driven by a worm gear connected to an electric motor. An elastomeric isolator is disposed within an annular space between the speed reducing gear and the output shaft to provide compliance in the steering assist mechanism between the gears and the output shaft thereby reducing vibrations.

Abstract: A non-aqueous cleaning process uses an organic solvent for removing soil or surface contamination from contaminated articles such as printed circuit boards which are cleaned by immersion into a sump compartment of a cleaning tank containing the organic cleaning solvent. The organic solvent is preferably a hydrocarbon solvent. The cleaned articles, now coated with the organic cleaning solvent, are then disposed in a rinsing sump containing a fluorocarbon based rinsing solvent having an affinity for the organic cleaning solvent. The organic solvent is thus removed from the articles which are then dried without waste water as in a conventional solvent vapor degreasing solvent process.

Abstract: The vehicle rack and pinion steering system has an elongated rack bar. Tie rod connectors are provided on the ends of the bar. A rack gear teeth section is provided on the rack bar in a position parallel to and spaced from the rack axis. A cylindrical bearing surface is on the opposite side of the rack axis from the rack gear teeth section. The bearing surface has a fixed radius and is concentric with the rack axis. The rack section width is at least twice the fixed radius. Secondary bearing contact surfaces join the bearing surface, extend toward the rack gear teeth section and diverge from each other. Contact between the bearing and surface shifts the point of convergence of forces on the rack toward the pitch point.