Abstract: A vehicle control system for a vehicle may include a radio frequency (RF) assembly including an RF assembly housing to be positioned within the vehicle, an antenna carried by the RF assembly housing, an RF receiver carried by the RF assembly housing, and a motion sensor carried by the RF assembly housing. The system may further include a controller assembly including a controller assembly housing to be positioned within the vehicle spaced apart from the RF assembly, and a controller carried by the controller housing. The controller may perform at least one first operation responsive to RF signals received by the RF receiver from a remote transmitter, and perform at least one second operation responsive to the motion sensor.

Abstract: A remote start system is for a vehicle including an ignition switch sequentially movable to a plurality of switch positions, and a plurality of ignition switch wires coupled to the ignition switch. The remote start system may include a wiring harness having a plurality of remote start wires to be arbitrarily coupled to the plurality of ignition wires, a wireless receiver responsive to a wireless remote start signal, and a controller coupled to the wiring harness and the wireless receiver. The controller may, in a learning mode, perform a mapping of the remote start wires to the ignition wires based upon sequential movement of the ignition switch to the plurality of switch positions. The controller may, in an operating mode, selectively activate the remote start wires based upon the mapping to remote start an engine of the vehicle responsive to the wireless receiver.

Abstract: A vehicle security system may include a vehicle controller and a first wireless communications device coupled thereto, and at least one wireless sensor. The wireless sensor may include a housing having a threaded mounting surface, a motion sensor carried by the housing, a second wireless communications device carried by the housing, and a sensor controller carried by the housing. The sensor controller is configured to determine when motion of the housing exceeds a first threshold, and send a first security alert message to the vehicle controller based thereon via the second and first wireless communications devices, and determine when the first threshold is exceeded for a predetermined time and enter a power saving mode based thereon. The at least one sensor may also include a power source carried by the housing to power the motion sensor, second wireless communications device, and sensor controller.

Abstract: A vehicle security system may include a vehicle controller and a first wireless communications device carried by the vehicle, and a wireless security sensor(s). The wireless security sensor(s) may include a portable housing, a motion sensor carried by the portable housing to detect motion thereof, a second wireless communications device carried by the portable housing to communicate with the first wireless communications device, and a sensor controller carried by the portable housing. The sensor controller may cooperate with the motion sensor and the second wireless communications device to determine when motion of the portable housing exceeds a first security alert threshold and send a first security alert message to the vehicle controller based thereon, and determine when the first security alert threshold is exceeded for a predetermined time and enter a power saving mode. The vehicle controller may generate a first alarm responsive to the first security alert message.

Abstract: The field of the invention relates to bicycle systems, especially to bicycle systems adapted for use with smartphones, to smartphones configured for use with bicycle systems, and to methods and to computer software for use with such bicycle systems or smartphones, and to servers configured to communicate with such bicycle systems or smartphones. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a bicycle system including a bicycle, the bicycle system including a processor integral to the bicycle, the bicycle system further including a battery integral to the bicycle, wherein the processor is powerable by the battery, the bicycle system including a smartphone holder configurable to receive a smartphone and to connect the smartphone to the processor, wherein in use the smartphone holder is attachable to, and detachable from, the smartphone.

Abstract: A method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to plants includes positioning a distal portion of a microporous hydrophobic tubing coated with a hydrophilic polymer adjacent a root system of a plant and channeling an aqueous solution from an inlet to the distal portion through a lumen. The tubing along the distal portion has a porosity adapted for permitting a flow of the aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate generated by the roots due to water stress. The aqueous solution is held in a reservoir, from which it can be channeled to the hydrophilic device's inlet. A nutrient solution can also be channeled to the plant roots via additional tubing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling the diameter of a mammalian hybrid coronary bypass graft. The system includes a controller having at least one input for receiving information and feedback information and an output for outputting control signals, including at least one steady flow system control signal; and a pressure/flow loop subsystem coupled to the controller. The pressure/flow loop subsystem includes a specimen holder, an external flow loop system coupled to the specimen holder, a steady flow system, and an output for outputting the feedback information. The pressure/flow loop subsystem receives the control signals and is capable of adjusting a diameter of a specimen in accordance with the control signals, when the specimen holder contains the specimen.

Abstract: A system for hemodynamic simulation comprises a vessel having properties of a blood vessel, a reservoir containing a quantity of fluid, tubing connecting the vessel and reservoir, and at least one pump for circulating the fluid within the system. Fluid can be tissue culture medium or blood analog fluid, and the vessel may include mammalian cells attached to its inside. A drive system, comprising two reciprocating drive shafts that are coupled by a cam, enables the uncoupling of pulsatile flow and pulsatile pressure to provide independent control over wall shear stress and circumferential strain. The shaft drives two pumps that are 180 degrees out-of-phase and are connected upstream and downstream of the vessel, and effect this uncoupling.

Abstract: Solubility changeable dye compositions include a dye component linked via a linker moiety to a stimulus responsive hydrophobic moiety which modulates the solubility of the dye, wherein the hydrophobic moiety is configured to be de-linked from the dye component on exposure to a stimulus and render the dye component more hydrophilic. A method of dying a substrate with such dye compositions includes contacting the dye with the substrate.

Abstract: Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holder, where the pressure/flow loop subsystem is capable of adjusting at least two dynamic conditions in the specimen holder or a diameter of a specimen in the specimen holder. Embodiments of methods can coat a hybrid graft with a confluent monolayer of endothelial cells by immobilizing stem cells on a hybrid hemodialysis access graft or a hybrid femoral artery bypass graft, and placing the hybrid graft in a system embodiment according to the invention under conditions effective to promote the stem cells to form a confluent monolayer on the hybrid graft and in an environment to promote the stem cells to differentiate into endothelial cells.

Abstract: Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holder, where the pressure/flow loop subsystem is capable of adjusting at least two dynamic conditions in the specimen holder or a diameter of a specimen in the specimen holder. Embodiments of methods can promote endothelialization of a hybrid hemodialysis access graft or a hybrid femoral artery bypass graft by placing the hybrid hemodialysis access graft or the hybrid femoral artery bypass graft in a system embodiment according to the invention under conditions effective to promote endothelial cells to form a confluent monolayer on the surface of the hybrid graft.

Abstract: Hybrid synthetic grafts and embodiments of systems and methods for producing hybrid vascular grafts that can yield implantable grafts that combine synthetic grafts with living cells. Embodiments of systems can include a pressure/flow loop subsystem having an external flow loop system coupled to a specimen holder, where the pressure/flow loop subsystem is capable of adjusting at least two dynamic conditions in the specimen holder or a diameter of a specimen in the specimen holder. Embodiments of methods can promote endothelialization of a hybrid hemodialysis access graft or a hybrid femoral artery bypass graft by placing the hybrid hemodialysis access graft or the hybrid femoral artery bypass graft in a system embodiment according to the invention under conditions effective to promote stem cells to form a confluent monolayer on the hybrid graft.