Abstract: A spool valve includes a housing having a spring-enclosing portion and a spool-enclosing portion aligned along a longitudinal axis. A spool is mounted for reciprocal axial movement in the housing and a piston is fixed to one end of the spool. The spool-enclosing portion supports a stationary bushing having a bore receiving an opposite control end of the spool, the bushing formed with a first plurality of radially-oriented passages opening into an annular groove formed in the bore, the groove having sloped side edges. The spool supports plural ring-seals arranged to engage the sloped side edges of the annular groove and thereby seal off the radially-oriented passages when the spool is in a neutral position. Movement of the spool is adjustably limited in one direction and dampened in both axial directions.

Abstract: A spool valve includes a housing having a spring-enclosing portion and a spool-enclosing portion aligned along a longitudinal axis. A spool is mounted for reciprocal axial movement in the housing and a piston is fixed to one end of the spool. The spool-enclosing portion supports a stationary bushing having a bore receiving an opposite control end of the spool, the bushing formed with a first plurality of radially-oriented passages opening into an annular groove formed in the bore, the groove having sloped side edges. The spool supports plural ring-seals arranged to engage the sloped side edges of the annular groove and thereby seal off the radially-oriented passages when the spool is in a neutral position. Movement of the spool is adjustably limited in one direction and dampened in both axial directions.

Abstract: A component is disclosed. The component includes a base member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a substantially tubular member attached to and extending away from the upper surface of the base member. The substantially tubular member includes a body formed by an outer surface, an inner surface, an upper lip surface connecting the outer surface to the inner surface and a document landing surface. The body includes a thickness (T) extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The document landing surface is connected to the inner surface. The inner surface and the document landing surface define a cavity extending through a portion of a length (L) of the body. An assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: NTNR?, NTNR? extracellular domain (ECD), NTNR? variants, chimeric NTNR? (e.g., NTNR? immunoadhesion), and antibodies which bind thereto (including agonist and neutralizing antibodies) are disclosed. Various uses for these molecules are described, including methods to modulate cell activity and survival by response to NTNR?-ligands, for example NTN, by providing NTNR? to the cell.

Abstract: GDNFR?, GDNFR? extracellular domain (ECD), GDNFR? variants, chimeric GDNFR? (e.g., GDNFR? immunoadhesin), and antibodies which bind thereto (including agonist and neutralizing antibodies) are disclosed. Various uses for these molecules are described, including methods to modulate cell activity and survival by response to GDNFR?-ligands, for example GDNF, by providing GDNFR? to the cell. Also provided are methods for using GDNFR?, GDNF, or agonists thereof, separately or in complex, to treat kidney diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences, including expressed sequence tags (ESTs), oligonucleotide probes, polypeptides, vectors and host cells expressing, and immunoadhesions and antibodies to mammalian GFR?3, a novel ?-subunit receptor of the GDNF (i.e. GFR) receptor family. It further relates to an assay for measuring activation of an ?-subunit receptor by detecting tyrosine kinase receptor activation (i.e., autophosphorylation) or other activities related to ligand-induced ?-subunit receptor homo-dimerization or homo-oligomerization.

Abstract: NTNR?, NTNR? extracellular domain (ECD), NTNR? variants, chimeric NTNR? (e.g., NTNR? immunoadhesion), and antibodies which bind thereto (including agonist and neutralizing antibodies) are disclosed. Various uses for these molecules are described, including methods to modulate cell activity and survival by response to NTNR?-ligands, for example NTN, by providing NTNR? to the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences, including expressed sequence tags (ESTs), oligonucleotide probes, polypeptides, vectors and host cells expressing, and immunoadhesions and antibodies to mammalian GFR?3, a novel ?-subunit receptor of the GDNF (i.e. GFR) receptor family. It further relates to an assay for measuring activation of an ?-subunit receptor by detecting tyrosine kinase receptor activation (i.e., autophosphorylation) or other activities related to ligand-induced ?-subunit receptor homo-dimerization or homo-oligomerization.

Abstract: GDNFR?, GDNFR? extracellular domain (ECD), GDNFR? variants, chimeric GDNFR? (e.g., GDNFR? immunoadhesin), and antibodies which bind thereto (including agonist and neutralizing antibodies) are disclosed. Various uses for these molecules are described, including methods to modulate cell activity and survival by response to GDNFR?-ligands, for example GDNF, by providing GDNFR? to the cell. Also provided are methods for using GDNFR?, GDNF, or agonists thereof, separately or in complex, to treat kidney diseases.

Abstract: An optical system includes a lens cell having a generally cylindrical lens cell body. The lens cell body has a lens cell central longitudinal axis and a lens cell optical axis eccentrically offset from the lens cell central longitudinal axis. A sleeve includes a generally cylindrical sleeve body having an outer surface with a first longitudinal axis and an inner surface with a second longitudinal axis eccentrically offset from the first longitudinal axis. The lens cell is inserted into the sleeve. A housing has a generally cylindrical body with the sleeve at least partially inserted into the housing. A clip is disposed about at least a portion of the circumference of the housing. The lens cell and the sleeve are rotated relative to each other and to the housing such that the lens cell optical axis is aligned in a desired location.

Abstract: A novel growth factor, persephin, which belongs to the GDNF/neurturin family of growth factors, is disclosed. The human, mouse and rat amino acid sequences have been identified. Human, mouse and rat persephin genomic DNA sequences have been cloned and sequenced and the respective cDNA sequences identified. In addition, methods for treating degenerative conditions using persephin, methods for detecting persephin gene alterations and methods for detecting and monitoring patient levels of persephin are provided. Methods for identifying additional members of the persephin-neurturin-GDNF family of growth factors are also provided.

Abstract: A unitary molded corner piece, shaped as a right angle V, has a grooved base with slide openings on adjacent sides of the base for receiving and joining together a pair of orthogonally oriented J channel pieces in an assembly. Right angles of the unitary corner piece are spaced apart and defined by spaced vertical walls shaped as an inner and outer angle. Such angles are joined together at the top of the vertical walls by a closed loop. Two orthogonal oriented J channels slide into the corner base while a J channel vertical wall and a J channel top piece slide within the space defined between the vertical walls of the right angle V of the corner piece. A loose free end of the J channel fits within the adjoining loop of the corner piece. Reinforcing ribs in a J channel receiving pocket both frictionally hold a J channel inserted into said corner piece and guide water as a trough.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for treating obesity, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and other related diseases by administering an NT-4/5 polypeptide. The invention also concerns compositions and kits comprising an NT-4/5 polypeptide.

Abstract: An optical system includes a lens cell having a generally cylindrical lens cell body. The lens cell body has a lens cell central longitudinal axis and a lens cell optical axis eccentrically offset from the lens cell central longitudinal axis. A sleeve includes a generally cylindrical sleeve body having an outer surface with a first longitudinal axis and an inner surface with a second longitudinal axis eccentrically offset from the first longitudinal axis. The lens cell is inserted into the sleeve. A housing has a generally cylindrical body with the sleeve at least partially inserted into the housing. A clip is disposed about at least a portion of the circumference of the housing. The lens cell and the sleeve are rotated relative to each other and to the housing such that the lens cell optical axis is aligned in a desired location.

Abstract: A document processing system comprising an image capture subsystem for capturing selected image metrics and at least one image rendition from a plurality of documents and for determining if at least one of the selected image metrics for any of the at least one image rendition does not successfully compare against preselected image quality metric threshold values. An image quality flag is generated for any of the at least one image rendition if it does not successfully compare, and a record entry for each imaged document having at least one flagged image rendition is created in an image quality flag file. An image index file for individually accessing the image renditions is modified to include a reference to the corresponding image quality flag file record entry The document processing system may optionally compare selected document metrics against preselected document metrics in a similar manner.

Abstract: An image quality assurance method for identifying image defects in a plurality of previously-imaged documents, where each previously-imaged document includes at least one image rendition stored in at least one image rendition file according to type of image rendition. The image renditions are analyzed to provide selected image metrics, the latter of which are compared against preselected image quality metric threshold values. An image quality flag is generated for any image rendition if at least one of the selected image metrics for that image rendition does not successfully compare against the preselected image quality metric threshold values. A record entry is created in an image quality flag file for those documents having at least one flagged image rendition, the record entry including information about the selected image metrics of the at least one flagged image rendition for that imaged document.

Abstract: A modular electronics enclosure for one or more circuit card assembly includes top and bottom lids formed substantially the same with at least one intermediate circuit card support member disposed therebetween. At least one spring clip clamps the top and bottom lids together around the intermediate support member.

Abstract: An image quality assurance method for identifying image defects in a plurality of imaged documents, where each imaged document includes at least one image rendition. The image renditions are analyzed to provide selected image metrics, the latter of which are compared against preselected image quality metric threshold values. An image quality flag is generated for any image rendition if at least one of the selected image metrics for that image rendition does not successfully compare against the preselected image quality metric threshold values. A record entry is created in an image quality flag file for those documents having at least one flagged image rendition, the record entry including information about the selected image metrics of the at least one flagged image rendition for that imaged document. Image defects in a plurality of imaged documents can be identified by examining the record entries in the image quality flag file.