Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. A method of treating a neurodegenerative disorder in a subject in need thereof which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a compound effective to inhibit the binding of an amyloid beta peptide with alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are human alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the neurodegenerative disorder is selected from Alzheimer’s disease, Pick’s disease, diffuse Lewy body disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (Steel-Richardson syndrome), multisystem degeneration (Shy-Drager syndrome), motor neuron diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, degenerative ataxias, cortical basal degeneration, ALS-Parkinson’s-Dementia complex of Guam, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, synucleinopathies, primary progressive aphasia, striatonigral degeneration, Machado-Joseph diseasespinocerebellar ataxia type 3 and olivopontocerebellar degenerations, Gilles De La Tourette’s disease, bulbar and pseudobulbar palsy, spinal and spinobulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy’s disease), primary lateral sclerosis, familial spastic paraplegia, Werdnig-Hoffmann disease, Kugelberg-Welander disease, Tay-Sach’s disease, Sandhoff disease, familial spastic disease, Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease, spastic paraparesis, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, and prion diseases (including Creutzfeldt-Jakob, Gerstmann-Strussler-Scheinker disease, Kuru and fatal familial insomnia, age-related dementia, vascular dementia, diffuse white matter disease (Binswanger’s disease), dementia of endocrine or metabolic origin, dementia of head trauma and diffuse brain damage, dementia pugilistica or frontal lobe dementia, neurodegenerative disorders resulting from cerebral ischemia or infaction including embolic occlusion and thrombotic occlusion as well as intracranial hemorrhage of any type, intracranial and intravertebral lesions, hereditary cerebral angiopathy, nonneuropathic hereditary amyloid, Down’s syndrome, macroglobulinemia, secondary familial Mediterranean fever, Muckle-Wells syndrome, multiple myeloma, pancreatic- and cardiac-related amyloidosis, chronic hemodialysis arthropathy, or Finnish and Iowa amyloidosis.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the amyloid beta peptide is A1-42.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the neurodegenerative disorder is Alzheimer’s disease.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the compound inhibits the binding of A1-42 with the human alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by binding to A1-42.
7. The method of claim 3, wherein the compound inhibits the binding of A1-42 with the human alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by binding to human alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
8. The method of claim 3, wherein the compound inhibits the binding of A1-42 with the human alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by inhibiting aggregation of amyloid beta peptides.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein the compound is of the formula I
9
wherein
R1 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;
R2 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, aryl or C7-C10 aralkyl;
R3 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C10 alkenyl, C3-C8 cycloalkylC1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonylC1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylthio, heteroarylC1-C4 alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl or unsubstituted or substituted C7-C10 aralkyl wherein the substituent on the aryl or aralkyl are one or more substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, C1-C6 alkyl and unsubstituted or substituted C1-C6 alkoxy wherein the substituents on the alkoxy are one or more substituents independently selected from amino, C1-C6 alkylamino, C1-C6 dialkylamino, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, azepinyl or morpholinyl; or
R2 and R3, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a five or six-membered heterocyclic ring selected from pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl or piperazinyl;
R4 is C1-C6 alkyl, aryl, or C7-C10 aralkyl; and
R5 and R6 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C10 alkenyl, C1-C8 alkylcarbonyl, or diphenylphosphinyl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.
10. A method of treating andor preventing dementia in an Alzheimer’s disease patient which comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound which inhibits the binding of an amyloid beta peptide with alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the amyloid beta peptide is A1-42 and the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are human alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the compound is of the formula I
10
wherein
R1 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;
R2 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, aryl or C7-C10 aralkyl;
R3 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C10 alkenyl, C3-C8 cycloalkylC1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonylC1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylthio, heteroarylC1-C4 alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl or unsubstituted or substituted C7-C10 aralkyl wherein the substituent on the aryl or aralkyl are one or more substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, C1-C6 alkyl and unsubstituted or substituted C1-C6 alkoxy wherein the substituents on the alkoxy are one or more substituents independently selected from amino, C1-C6 alkylamino, C1-C6 dialkylamino, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, azepinyl or morpholinyl; or R2 and R3, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a five or six-membered heterocyclic ring selected from pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl or piperazinyl;
R4 is C1-C6 alkyl, aryl, or C7-C10 aralkyl; and
R5 and R6 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C10 alkenyl, C1-C8 alkylcarbonyl, or diphenylphosphinyl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.
13. A method of improving memory andor of halting the progression of mental deterioration in an Alzheimer’s disease patient which comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound to inhibit the binding of an amyloid beta peptide with alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the amyloid beta peptide is A1-42 and the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are human alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the compound is of the formula I
11
wherein
R1 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;
R2 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, aryl or C7-C10 aralkyl;
R3 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C10 alkenyl, C3-C8 cycloalkylC1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonylC1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylthio, heteroarylC1-C4 alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl or unsubstituted or substituted C7-C10 aralkyl wherein the substituent on the aryl or aralkyl are one or more substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, C1-C6 alkyl and unsubstituted or substituted C1-C6 alkoxy wherein the substituents on the alkoxy are one or more substituents independently selected from amino, C1-C6 alkylamino, C1-C6 dialkylamino, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, azepinyl or morpholinyl; or R2 and R3, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a five or six-membered heterocyclic ring selected from pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl or piperazinyl;
R4 is C1-C6 alkyl, aryl, or C7-C10 aralkyl; and
R5 and R6 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C10 alkenyl, C1-C8 alkylcarbonyl, or diphenylphosphinyl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.
16. A method for identifying compounds which are useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders involving screening test compounds for their ability to block the interaction of a peptide selected from the group consisting of 125I-A1-40, A1-40 and A1-42 with nicotine acetylcholine receptors.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the nicotine acetycholine receptors are human alpha-7, human alpha-8, andor human alpha-9 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the nicotine acetylcholine receptors are human alpha-7 nicotine acetylcholine receptors.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the peptide is 125I-A1-40.
20. A compound of the formula I:
12
wherein
R1 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;
R2 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, aryl or C7-C10 aralkyl;
R3 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C10 alkenyl, C3-C8 cycloalkylC1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonylC1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylthio, heteroarylC1-C4 alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl or unsubstituted or substituted C7-C10 aralkyl wherein the substituent on the aryl or aralkyl are one or more substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, C1-C6 alkyl and unsubstituted or substituted C1-C6 alkoxy wherein the substituents on the alkoxy are one or more substituents independently selected from amino, C1-C6 alkylamino, C1-C6 dialkylamino, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, azepinyl or morpholinyl; or
R2 and R3, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a five or six-membered heterocyclic ring selected from pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl or piperazinyl;
R4 is C1-C6 alkyl, aryl, or C7-C10 aralkyl; and
R5 and R6 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C10 alkenyl, C1-C8 alkylcarbonyl, or diphenylphosphinyl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.
21. The compound of claim 20, wherein
R1 is hydrogen;
R2 is selected from hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;
R3 is selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C3-C10 alkenyl, C5-C6 cycloalkylC1-C46 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxycarbonylC1-C4 alkyl, C1-C6 alkylthio, heteroarylC1-C4 alkyl, or unsubstituted or substituted C7-C10 aralkyl wherein the substituent on the aralkyl are one or two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, C1-C4 alkyl and unsubstituted or substituted C1-C4 alkoxy wherein the substituents on the alkoxy are one or two substituents independently selected from amino, C1-C4 alkylamino, C1-C4 dialkylamino, pyrrolidinyl, or piperidinyl; or
R2 and R3, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, form a morpholinyl ring;
R4 is C1-C4 alkyl; and
R5 and R6 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C3-C6 alkenyl, C1-C6 alkylcarbonyl, or diphenylphosphinyl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.
22. The compound of claim 20 of the formula
13
wherein
R1 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;
R2 and R3 are each independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, aryl or C7-C10 aralkyl; and
R4 is C1-C6 alkyl, aryl, or C7-C10 aralkyl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.
23. A compound of claim 22 which is 5,8-dihydroxy-trans-2-di(N-propylamino)-3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.
24. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of claim 20.
25. A pharmaceutical composition made by mixing a compound of claim 20 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
26. A process for making a pharmaceutical composition comprising mixing a compound of claim 20 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
27. A method for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, monitoring the progression and prognosis of Alzheimer’s disease andor monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of any intervention or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease comprising:
(a) obtaining a test sample from a subject wherein the test sample comprises circulating blood cells andor olfactory neuroepithelial neuronal cell bodies or their neuronal processes; and
(b) analyzing the test sample for interaction of an amyloid beta peptide with alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for permitting a client to access a database system on a server via an Internet connection, comprising:
providing middleware communicating with the client and server;
the middleware including at least one file;
the file having at least one parameterized database system query language (SQL) statement;
in response to a client request for data including values and specific methods but not an SQL query, accessing the file; and
using the parameterized statement to return data satisfying the request to the client.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data satisfying the request is sent via Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) in Extensible Markup Language (XML).
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameterized statement facilitates a query for data.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameterized statement facilitates an update to the database system.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameterized statement facilitates an SQL stored procedure call.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the client request is one of the following: a SOAP request, an HTTP GET request, or an HTTP POST request.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the middleware further comprises:
at least one router receiving the client request; and
the router including at least one servlet.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the servlet replaces at least some parameters in the parameterized statement with corresponding values from the client request to establish a fully qualified SQL statement.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the servlet sends the SQL statement to the database system for execution thereof.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the database system generates a response to the SQL statement and the method further comprises:
sending the response to the client.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the act of:
converting the response to XML.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein the servlet generates documentation and a test page in HTML at least partially based on the client request.
13. The method of claim 7, wherein the servlet generates a service description (WSDL file) at least partially based on the client request.
14. The method of claim 7, wherein the servlet incorporates a document access definition (DAD) at least partially based on the client request.
15. The method of claim 7, wherein the servlet generates Extensible Markup Language Schema data (XSD) at least partially based on the client request.
16. A computer system, comprising:
at least one client transmitting a client request including values but not a fully qualified SQL statement;
at least one middleware accessible to the client;
at least one file accessible to the middleware and containing at least one parameterized statement; and
at least one database system accessible to the middleware, wherein the middleware replaces at least some parameters in the parameterized statement corresponding values from the client to establish a fully qualified SQL statement for execution thereof by the database system.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein:
the middleware sends the SQL statement to the database system for execution thereof.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein:
the database system generates a response to the SQL statement and the response is returned to the client.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein the client request is one of the following: a SOAP request, an HTTP GET request, or an HTTP POST request.
20. The system of claim 16, wherein:
the middleware generates documentation and a test page in HTML at least partially based on the client request.
21. The system of claim 16, wherein:
the middleware generates a service description (WSDL file) at least partially based on the client request.
22. The system of claim 16, wherein:
the middleware servlet incorporates a document access definition (DAD) at least partially based on the client request.
23. The system of claim 16, wherein:
the middleware generates Extensible Markup Language Schema data (XSD) at least partially based on the client request.
24. A method for permitting a client to access a database system on a server via a wide area network, comprising:
providing a file between the client and database system, the file having at least one parameterized SQL statement;
replacing at least some parameters in the parameterized statement with corresponding values from the client request to establish a fully qualified SQL statement;
sending the SQL statement to the database system for execution thereof;
at the database system, generating a response to the SQL statement;
converting the response to XML if necessary; and
sending the response to the client.
25. A computer program device, comprising:
a computer readable means having logic means for facilitating data communication between a client and a database at a server, comprising:
logic means for receiving at least one client request for data from the client, the client request including desired values but not constituting a fully qualified SQL statement;
logic means for accessing a file having at least one parameterized SQL statement at least partially based on the client request;
means for replacing at least one parameter in the parameterized SQL statement with at least one value from the client to establish a fully qualified SQL statement; and
logic means for returning a response to the client at least partially based on the parameterized SQL statement.
26. The computer program device of claim 25, wherein the client request is one of the following: a SOAP request, an HTTP GET request, or an HTTP POST request.
27. The computer program device of claim 26, wherein the computer readable means further comprises:
logic means for generating documentation or a test page in HTML at least partially based on the client request.
28. The computer program device of claim 26, wherein the computer readable means further comprises:
logic means for generating a service description (WSDL file) at least partially based on the parameterized SQL statement.
29. The computer program device of claim 26, wherein the computer readable means further comprises:
logic means for incorporating a DAD file at least partially based on the client request.

1. A rubber composition comprising:
one or more elastomers selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber; and
an antifoam composition that leaches out of the rubber composition when placed in contact with a functional fluid;
wherein the antifoam composition comprises a perfluoropolyether compound.
2. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer comprises an acrylic elastomer.
3. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer comprises an ethylene acrylic elastomer.
4. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises a plurality of (CaF2aO) repeating units, wherein a is from 1 to 10.
5. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the perfluoropolyether comprises repeating units of (CF2CF(CF3)O).
6. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the perfluoropolyether comprises repeating units of (CF2CF2CF2O).
7. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the perfluoropolyether comprises repeating units of (CF2CF2O).
8. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the perfluoropolyether comprises repeating units of (CbF2bO) and (CF2O), wherein b is 2 to 10.
9. A rubber composition according to claim 4, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound further comprises one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl amide, silane, phosphate, carboxyl, ester, and hydroxyl.
10. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the rubber composition comprises 0.1% to 65% by weight of the perfluoropolyether compound.
11. A rubber composition according to claim 1, wherein the rubber composition comprises 5% to 30% by weight of the perfluoropolyether compound.
12. An automatic transmission comprising a housing defining a lubricant sump, and further comprising a rubber composition installed in the lubricant sump, wherein the rubber composition comprises
one or more elastomers selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber; and
an antifoam composition that leaches out of the rubber composition when placed in contact with a functional fluid,
wherein the antifoam composition comprises a perfluoropolyether compound.
13. An automatic transmission according to claim 12, wherein the elastomer comprises an elastomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic elastomer and ethylene acrylic elastomer.
14. An automatic transmission according to claim 12, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises a plurality Of (CaF2aO) repeating units, wherein a is from 1 to 10.
15. An automatic transmission according to claim 12, wherein the perfluoropolyether comprises repeating units of (CbF2bO) and (CF2O), wherein b is 2 to 10.
16. An automatic transmission according to claim 14, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound further comprises one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl amide, silane, phosphate, carboxyl, ester, and hydroxyl.
17. An automatic transmission according to claim 12, further comprising a transmission lubricating fluid comprising 0.0005% to 1% by weight of the perfluoropolyether compound.
18. A transmission according to claim 12, wherein the transmission is a continuously variable transmission.
19. An engine comprising a crankcase defining a lubricant sump, and further comprising a rubber composition installed in the lubricant sump,
wherein the rubber composition comprises one or more elastomers selected from the group consisting of natural rubber and synthetic rubber; and
an antifoam composition that leaches out of the rubber composition when placed in contact with a functional fluid,
wherein the antifoam composition comprises a perfluoropolyether compound.
20. An engine according to claim 19, wherein the elastomer comprise an elastomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic elastomer and ethylene acrylic elastomer.
21. An engine according to claim 19, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises a plurality of (CaF2aO) repeating units, wherein a is from 1 to 10.
22. An engine according to claim 19, wherein the perfluoropolyether comprises repeating units of (CbF2bO) and (CF2O), wherein b is 2 to 10.
23. An engine according to claim 21, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound further comprises one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl amide, silane, phosphate, carboxyl, ester, and hydroxyl.
24. An engine according to claim 19, further comprising an engine oil comprising 0.0005% to 1% by weight of the perfluoropolyether compound.
25. A method for reducing noise during operation of an automobile automatic transmission, comprising
contacting a rubber composition with a lubricating composition, wherein the rubber composition comprises an elastomer and a perfluoropolyether compound, to deliver a perfluoropolyether compound into the lubricating composition; and
lubricating the transmission with the lubricating composition comprising the perfluoropolyether compound.
26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the elastomer comprises an acrylic elastomer or ethylene acrylic elastomer.
27. A method according to claim 25, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises a plurality of (CaF2aO) repeating units, wherein a is from 1 to 10.
28. A method according to claim 25, wherein the perfluoropolyether comprises repeating units of (CbF2bO) and (CF2O), wherein b is 2 to 10.
29. A method according to claim 27, wherein the perfluoropolyether further comprises one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl amide, silane, phosphate, carboxyl, ester, and hydroxyl.
30. A method according to claim 25, comprising delivering an amount of perfluoropolyether into the lubricating composition so that the lubricating composition comprises 0.0005% to 1% by weight of the perfluoropolyether compound.
31. A method according to claim 25, wherein the transmission is a continuously variable transmission.
32. A method of reducing foam in an engine oil during operation of the engine, comprising
contacting a rubber composition with a lubricating composition, wherein the rubber composition comprises an elastomer and a perfluoropolyether compound, to deliver a perfluoropolyether compound into the lubricating composition; and
lubricating the transmission with the lubricating composition comprising the perfluoropolyether compound.
33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the elastomer comprises an acrylic elastomer or ethylene acrylic elastomer.
34. A method according to claim 32, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises a plurality of (CaF2aO) repeating units, wherein a is from 1 to 10.
35. A method according to claim 32, wherein the perfluoropolyether comprises repeating units of (CbF2bO) and (CF2O), wherein b is 2 to 10.
36. A method according to claim 34, wherein the perfluoropolyether further comprises one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl amide, silane, phosphate, carboxyl, ester, and hydroxyl.
37. A method according to claim 32, comprising delivering an amount of perfluoropolyether into the lubricating composition so that the lubricating composition comprises 0.0005% to 1% by weight of the perfluoropolyether compound.
38. A method of treating an automatic transmission, the transmission comprising a housing defining a lubricant sump, wherein the sump contains a lubricating composition, the method comprising contacting the lubricating composition in the sump with a rubber composition, wherein the rubber composition comprises an elastomer and an antifoam composition, wherein the antifoam composition comprises a perfluoropolyether compound.
39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the elastomer comprises an acrylic elastomer or ethylene acrylic elastomer.
40. A method according to claim 38, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises a plurality of (CaF2aO) repeating units, wherein a is from 1 to 10.
41. A method according to claim 38, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises repeating units of (CbF2bO) and (CF2O), wherein b is 2 to 10.
42. A method according to claim 40, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl amide, silane, phosphate, carboxyl, ester, and hydroxyl.
43. A method according to claim 38, comprising delivering an amount of antifoam composition to the lubricating fluid so that the lubricating fluid comprises 0.0005% to 1% by weight of the perfluoropolyether compound.
44. A method according to claim 38, wherein the transmission is a continuously variable transmission.
45. A method of treating an engine comprising a crankcase defining a lubricant sump, wherein the sump contains a lubricating composition, the method comprising contacting the lubricating composition in the sump with a rubber composition, wherein the rubber composition comprises an elastomer and an antifoam composition, wherein the antifoam composition comprises a perfluoropolyether compound.
46. A method according to claim 45, wherein the elastomer comprises an acrylic elastomer or ethylene acrylic elastomer.
47. A method according to claim 45, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises a plurality of (CaF2aO) repeating units, wherein a is from 1 to 10.
48. A method according to claim 45, comprising delivering an amount of antifoam composition to the lubricating fluid so that the lubricating fluid comprises 0.0005% to 1% by weight of the perfluoropolyether compound.
49. A method for delivering an antifoam compound into a functional fluid, comprising contacting the functional fluid with a rubber composition, wherein the rubber composition comprises an elastomer and further comprises an antifoam compound that leaches into the functional fluid upon contact of the rubber composition with the fluid, wherein the antifoam compound comprises a perfluoropolyether compound.
50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the elastomer comprises an elastomer selected from the group consisting of an acrylic elastomer and an ethylene acrylic elastomer.
51. A method according to claim 49, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises a plurality of (CaF2aO) repeating units, wherein a is from 1 to 10.
52. A method according to claim 49, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises repeating units of (CbF2bO) and (CF2O), wherein b is 2 to 10.
53. A method according to claim 51, wherein the perfluoropolyether compound comprises one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of alkyl amide, silane, phosphate, carboxyl, ester, and hydroxyl.
54. A method according to claim 49, comprising delivering an amount of antifoam composition to the functional fluid so that the functional fluid comprises 0.0005% to 1% by weight of the perfluoropolyether compound.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

I claim:

1. A rack for carrying a bicycle on the top of a car comprising
a pair of crossbars,
tower mechanisms configured to secure the crossbars to the top of a car,
a fork block attached to one of the crossbars,
a wheel tray attached to the other crossbar, and
a connector portion linking the fork block to the wheel tray, the connector portion being configured to accommodate disc brake components.
2. The rack of claim 1, wherein the fork block includes a skewer assembly.
3. The rack of claim 2, wherein the fork block has an actuator handle moveable between clamped and unclamped positions, and an adjustment member that permits longitudinal adjustment of the skewer assembly to accommodate different fork configurations, and a housing that substantially covers the adjustment member when the actuator handle is in the clamped position, and at least partially exposes the adjustment member when the actuator handle is in the unclamped position.
4. The rack of claim 1, wherein the connector extends from the fork block, and has a distal end configured to mount on a wheel tray.
5. The rack of claim 1, wherein the connector has a width less than the width of the wheel tray.
6. The rack of claim 1, wherein the connector portion is part of the fork block.
7. A rack for carrying a bicycle on the top of a car comprising
a pair of crossbars,
tower mechanisms configured to secure the crossbars to the top of a car,
a fork block attached to a first crossbar,
a wheel tray attached to a second crossbar, wherein the wheel tray stop short of the fork block and first crossbar to make space for disc brake components.
8. The rack of claim 7 further comprising a connector portion connecting the fork block to the wheel tray.
9. The rack of claim 8, wherein the connector portion has a width less than the width of the wheel tray.
10. The rack of claim 8, wherein the connector portion has an end configured for mounting on an end of the wheel tray.