Abstract: Novel ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST proteins, the invention further provides isolated ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST antibodies. The invention also provides ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST 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 non-human transgenic animals in which an ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A passive magnetic bearing which has an exceptionally low friction couple. Radial and axial restraint is achieved through magnetic and mechanical means. The embodiment of the passive magnetic bearing has two axially magnetized rings, which each exhibit at least one pair of north and south poles. The magnetized rings are positioned in a manner where the poles are in a repulsive magnetic interaction such that the plane of symmetry which separates the like poles lies perpendicular to the axis of the rotation of a shaft and this radially constrains the movement of the shaft. Axial rigidity is added to the system by the use of ceramic bearings and related axial retaining mechanisms on one of the ring magnets thus maintaining the magnetic bearing in an otherwise unstable axial plane.

Abstract: Novel Dkk and Dkk-related polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length Dkk and Dkk-related proteins, the invention further provides isolated fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and antibodies. The invention also provides Dkk and Dkk-related 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 non-human transgenic animals in which a Dkk and Dkk-related gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Novel Dkk and Dkk-related polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length Dkk and Dkk-related proteins, the invention further provides isolated fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and antibodies. The invention also provides Dkk and Dkk-related 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 non-human transgenic animals in which a Dkk and Dkk-related gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Novel Dkk and Dkk-related polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length Dkk and Dkk-related proteins, the invention further provides isolated fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and antibodies. The invention also provides Dkk and Dkk-related 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 non-human transgenic animals in which a Dkk and Dkk-related gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids encoding a variety of proteins having diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, and other uses. These nucleic and proteins are useful for diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of a number of human and other animal disorders. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and non-human transgenic animals in which a nucleic acid molecule of the invention has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated polypeptides, fusion polypeptides, antigenic peptides and antibodies. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods using compositions of the invention are also provided. The nucleic acids and polypeptides of the present invention are useful as modulating agents in regulating a variety of cellular processes.

Abstract: Novel Dkk and Dkk-related polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length Dkk and Dkk-related proteins, the invention further provides isolated fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and antibodies. The invention also provides Dkk and Dkk-related 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 n which a Dkk and Dkk-related gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides novel Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 and A259 polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules. In addition to isolated, full-length Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 and A259 proteins, the invention further provides isolated Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 and A259 fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 and A259 antibodies. The invention also provides Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 and A259 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 non-human transgenic animals in which a Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 or A259 gene has been introduced or disrupted.

Abstract: Novel Dkk and Dkk-related polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length Dkk and Dkk-related proteins, the invention further provides isolated fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and antibodies. The invention also provides Dkk and Dkk-related 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 non-human transgenic animals in which a Dkk and Dkk-related gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids encoding a variety of proteins having diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, and other uses. These nucleic and proteins are useful for diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of a number of human and other animal disorders. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and non-human transgenic animals in which a nucleic acid molecule of the invention has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated polypeptides, fusion polypeptides, antigenic peptides and antibodies. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods using compositions of the invention are also provided. The nucleic acids and polypeptides of the present invention are useful as modulating agents in regulating a variety of cellular processes.

Abstract: Novel Dkk and Dkk-related polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length Dkk and Dkk-related proteins, the invention further provides isolated fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and antibodies. The invention also provides Dkk and Dkk-related 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 non-human transgenic animals in which a Dkk and Dkk-related gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening 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: The invention relates to antibodies and immunologically active portions thereof that selectively bind a human Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1) or Dkk-1-related polypeptide, and to compositions that contain such antibodies and/or immunologically active portions.

Abstract: Novel ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST proteins, the invention further provides isolated ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST antibodies. The invention also provides ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST 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 non-human transgenic animals in which an ITALY, LOR-2, STRIFE, TRASH, BDSF, LRSG, and STMST gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining if an optical disk originated from a valid source, the method and apparatus scanning one major surface of the optical disk for imperfections, storing the locations of the imperfections relative to a datum, comparing a parameter of each of the locations of the imperfections with corresponding parameters of a master disk of known source for determining if the disk originated from the source from which the master disk originated.

Abstract: The invention provides novel Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 and A259 polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules. In addition to isolated, full-length Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 and A259 proteins, the invention further provides isolated Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 and A259 fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 and A259 antibodies. The invention also provides Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 and A259 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 non-human transgenic animals in which a Delta3, FTHMA-070, Tango85, Tango77, SPOIL, NEOKINE, Tango129 or A259 gene has been introduced or disrupted.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring chat performance are described. Certain users accessing a website are inhibited by a chat system from receiving online chat service, while other users are provided with online chat service, wherein users can textually communicate with another entity. Optionally, the chat system causes web beacons or other activity trackers to be downloaded to terminals associated with website visitors. The beacons provide website activity information for respective users. The chat system or another system monitors and processes the website activity information, to determine or provide information for determining chat performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining if an optical disk originated from a valid source, the method and apparatus scanning one major surface of the optical disk for mechanical surface imperfections, storing the locations of the surface imperfections relative to a datum, comparing a parameter of each of the locations of the surface imperfections with corresponding parameters of a master disk of known source for determining if the disk originated from the source from which the master disk originated.

Abstract: A constrained variable rate coding technique limits the number of bits used in an encoding process. A quality setting indicates a maximum level of quality to be used in the encoding process which limits the number of bits used in the encoding process. A bandwidth reclamation factor which indicates an amount of bandwidth to conserve may also be used with the quality setting. The constrained variable rate coding technique using a lower quality encoding process for less complex video data and a higher quality encoding technique for higher quality video data.

Abstract: A CBR/VBR hybrid implementation encoding video streams for conserving bandwidth usage in a channel comprises, in an exemplary arrangement, CBR encoding for frames whose complexity exceeds a threshold, and uses VBR encoding for frames whose complexity is below the threshold. In some embodiments, the threshold can be dynamically adjusted to permit varying amounts of bandwidth reclamation. The complexity can be determined based on a motion estimation analysis or on other indicia such as the level of detail in a frame.