Abstract: A shutter slat assembly for a storm shutter, the slat assembly including an elongated horizontally extending shutter slat having longitudinally extending formed edges configured to slidably, interlockingly connect with the next adjacent slat for limited pivotal movement between adjacent connected slats sufficient for rolled-up storage of the storm shutter. Each slat has a central port formed therethrough for viewing and light transmission through the port. An elongated transparent panel preferably having a cross section similar to that of the slat includes enlarged edge portions configured and spaced for dependent slidable engagement between and within inwardly facing grooves formed inwardly adjacent to the edges. The transparent panel covers the port while allowing a person to obtain a view and permit light transmission therethrough.

Abstract: A device for incrementally adjusting the position of an RFID tag includes a base, and a lid releasably attachable to said base. The base includes a generally planar surface in which a plurality of locators are formed at regular intervals. A portion of the RFID tag is received by one of the plurality of locators for incrementally adjusting of the position of the RFID tag. The plurality of locators extend collinearly and are formed overlapping so that the position of the RFID tag is adjustable in increments less than the overall length of the RFID tag.

Abstract: A reversible vasectomy device includes a first and a second connector piece for attachment to the severed ends of the vas deferens. Each connector piece has an outer vas deferens attaching end, an opposite inner end, and a passage from the outer to the inner end. A midpiece has end portions that are connectable to the inner ends of the connector pieces, a passage in one end portion and a vent from the passage to an exterior surface. When the connector pieces are connected to the end portions, the passage in one of the connector pieces is in fluid communication with the vent, but is not in fluid communication with the passage in the other connector piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a roof, comprising a moving flexible roof region, provided with a cover, embodied such that the roof comprises a further roof region separate from the flexible region and divided into rigid roof sections, whereby in the fully open roof position the flexible roof region lies below a rigid roof section extending over the same in the form of a cover.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for forming a three-dimensional polymer based part including a die tool having a specified shape and size and exhibiting an exposed polymer adhering surface corresponding in configuration to a polymeric based part to be created. A volume holding bin supports a three-dimensional article including at least one exposed and pattern defining surface. A volume of a granulated polymer material is deposited into the bin and around the article. A sub-volume of the material adheres to and forms a hardened layer upon the exposed pattern defining surface, a corresponding part created having a specified thickness and matching configuration.

Abstract: A support stand for supporting a test piece within a corrosion chamber comprises first and second side members interconnected by first and second support rods. The relative position of the support rods is adjustable so as to modify the orientation of the test piece. In some examples, each side member has a base, a first row of spaced-apart holes generally parallel to the base, and a second row of spaced apart holes generally perpendicular to the base. By selecting the holes with which the support rods engage, the orientation of the test piece can be set to a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions comprising, and methods utilizing PBK1 protein and DNA, including a method of detecting type 1 diabetes; a mammalian pancreas-derived cell comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a PBK1 protein; a method of identifying a PBK1 modulator; a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of type 2 diabetes in a subject; a method of screening for an agent that treats a metabolic disease; delivery of PBK-1 DNA to a subject to stimulate pancreatic beta cell differentiation and/or regeneration; a method for stimulating cell differentiation and/or regeneration in a pancreatic beta cell; usage of transgenic mice with targeted deletion or overexpression of the PBK-1 gene to test efficacy and specificity of PBK-1 modulator compounds.

Abstract: Improved electric circuits that minimize, or eliminate, energy losses in the supply of energy to and control of LEDs. Addition of diodes and a capacitor to a circuit reduces or eliminates LED blinking, creates smooth and continuous infinitely variable dimming. The components are added to supply power to each LED during the half of the AC cycle where it would normally be turned off. A first added diode allows an added capacitor to charge during the half cycle that the original diode is turned on, but does not allow the other half cycle to discharge the added capacitor. When the added capacitor is charged enough to turn on the original diode, it stays on throughout the AC cycle. The same relationship exists between the second added diode, the added capacitor and the second original diode. Zener diodes protect the LEDs from voltage surge's/spikes by shunting current around LEDs when the voltage exceeds the Zener diode's breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A malfunction diagnosis system includes: a malfunction diagnosis section that performs a malfunction diagnosis for an on-board device of an electric vehicle when supplied with electric power from either an electric storage section or an external power source; a malfunction diagnosis request section that requests the malfunction diagnosis section to carry out malfunction diagnosis; an external power source connector that supplies electric power from the external power source; and an external power source connection determination section that determines whether the external power source connector is connected to the external power source. The malfunction diagnosis request section changes at least either the number of times that the malfunction diagnosis section is requested to carry out malfunction diagnosis or the period of time the malfunction diagnosis section is requested to carry out malfunction diagnosis depending whether the external power source connector is connected to the external power source.

Abstract: Transgenic lignocellulosic plants are provided according to embodiments of the present invention, the transgenic plants transformed with an expression cassette encoding a protein operably linked to a signal peptide which targets the protein to a cell wall of the transgenic plant, where at least 5% of the total amino acid residues of the protein are tyrosine, lysine, serine, threonine or cysteine. Methods of increasing lignin-protein bonds in a lignocellulosic plant are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include expressing a recombinant nucleic acid in a lignocellulosic plant, the recombinant nucleic acid encoding a protein operably linked to a signal peptide which targets the protein to the cell wall of a plant, where at least 5% of the total amino acid residues of the protein are tyrosine, lysine, serine, threonine or cysteine.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for the preparation of docetaxel having an amorphous, anhydrous crystalline, or hydrated crystalline structure. In accordance with the invention, highly pure amorphous, anhydrous crystalline, or hydrated crystalline docetaxel can be produced with a high yield by using a solvent precipitation method, colloid formation method, etc.

Abstract: In application of a square wave voltage to a motor MG2 to make the motor MG2 output a torque equivalent to a torque command Tm2*, the procedure of square wave control corrects reference phases ?b and ??b as phases for maximizing an absolute value of the output torque of the motor MG2 with a rotational position detection error ?err and sets the results of the correction to an upper limit phase ?ul and a lower limit phase ?ll of the square wave voltage (step S110). A target voltage phase ?* is set within a phase range defined by the upper limit phase ?ul and the lower limit phase ?ll, in order to reduce a torque difference between the torque command Tm2* and a torque estimate Tm2est (steps S120 and S130). An inverter 42 is controlled based on the target voltage phase ?* and a rotational angle ? of the motor MG2.

Abstract: A ligament incorporated into a prosthetic joint exhibiting a plasticized, elongated and deformable material. A fibrous material is internally disposed within the deformable material, the fibrous material terminating in first and second enlarged bead portions arranged in proximity to enlarged pocket defined ends associated with the deformable materials. First and second bones define a joint region therebetween, the deformable end pockets and bead portions being inserted through associated holes defined in joint proximate locations associated with the bones, so that actuation of a projection location of the fibrous material causes the bead portions to outwardly deflect the end pockets, resulting in the ligaments being anchored in place between the bones.

Abstract: A seat back assembly including a frame molded from expanded polypropylene (EPP). The expanded polypropylene frame includes a first surface and a second surface. The EPP frame is molded so as to include at least one standoff. The standoff extends outwardly from the second surface into a contact surface. The contact surface is registered to engage a vehicle body structure. Thus when the seat back experiences a frontal load, the frontal load is transformed so as to compress the standoff, and also transfers a load to the vehicle body structure. The EPP frame may also be molded so as to encapsulate an armrest bracket for attaching a pivotable armrest, or attachment wires to secure the seat back assembly to the vehicle body. The EPP frame may also be molded to include a headrest.

Abstract: A wire harness clamp with at least a pair of tension members that afford for harnesses having different sizes to be held securely by the clamp is provided. In addition, the wire harness clamp can have a length that can protect wire harnesses held within the clamp from proximate objects that can rub, vibrate, etc., against the wire harnesses.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring muscle activity, apparatus comprising means for providing signals indicative of muscle activity, for example EMG-signals, means for processing of signals in order to detect a particular activity and means for providing a feedback signal, wherein device is designed in order to be individually adaptable in a set-up mode. The apparatus can be used for detecting and prevention of undesired activities such as bruxism, movements that are damaging or unwanted etc. The detection can be performed with great certainty since the individual parameters of the user are utilized for laying down reference values, threshold values, criteria for triggering of feedback signals, etc., which may take place at a set-up procedure.

Abstract: A system and method for providing driving risk assessment for a host vehicle equipped with on-board sensors or vehicle-to-vehicle or infrastructure-to-vehicle systems. The system includes a hierarchical index of passive driving conditions, a means of collecting active driving conditions and a processor whereby the sum of passive driving conditions may be further refined by the active driving conditions. The method incorporates a hierarchical index of risks associated with passive driving conditions, and refining said risks with active driving conditions of the vehicle to generating a driving risk assessment for current vehicle operation.