Abstract: A center console for an automotive vehicle having a power outlet device, a wall and a bezel. The wall has a pair of channels that are spaced apart. The bezel has spaced apart and opposite sides. The sides of the bezel extend into the respective channels in the wall to constrain the bezel in a direction generally orthogonal to the bezel. The bezel also includes a retaining member that extends outwardly from an edge thereof. The retaining member is lockingly engagable with a tab extending outwardly from the wall to constrain the bezel in a direction generally parallel with the channels.

Abstract: A thin film semiconductor device such as a photovoltaic device is fabricated on a lightweight substrate material which is affixed to a layer of material which is in turn supported by a carrier. Following the fabrication of the device, the carrier is removed such as by an etching process, leaving the layer of material adhered to the substrate. The adhered layer provides a balancing force to the back side of the substrate which minimizes or eliminates the tendency of the semiconductor device supported on the opposite side of the substrate to cause the substrate to curl. Also disclosed are devices and structures made by this method.

Abstract: A dipeptide or tripeptide carrier system for active agent delivery to cells has an N-terminus natural amino acid and an active agent covalently bonded to a side chain of one of the remaining amino acid bases. The system is amenable to formulation as an oral administrant. The active agent being a therapeutic, a fluorescent dye, or contrast agent where the active agent has a molecular weight of less than 500 atomic mass units. An optional linker is provided intermediate between the active agent and the linking side chain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): PtIV(N3)2X1X2Y1Y2, wherein X1 and X2 are the same or different and each one is a group NR1R2R3 wherein R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and each can be any one of H and optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, acyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, alkenyl, aralkenyl, alkinyl, cycloalkenyl, or X1 and X2 together represent a group R1R2NR4NR1R2 wherein R1 and R2 have the same meaning as before, and R4 represents an optionally substituted divalent, saturated or unsaturated, alkyl chain, an optionally substituted divalent, saturated or unsaturated cycloalkyl or an optionally substituted divalent aryl, or R4 or two or more of R1, R2, R3 and R4 and the respective N atom(s) to which they are linked, represent an optionally substituted heterocyclyl having at least one ring containing said N atom(s); and Y1 and Y2 are the same or different or when cis together represent a divalent moiety Y3, wherein at least one of Y1 and Y2, or Y3, is a substantially labil

Abstract: The vehicle control system having an adaptive controller is provided that accomplishes unsupervised learning such that no prior extensive training is needed for every situation. The inventive controller system is based on a neural network evolved with genetic algorithm. The genetic algorithm will determine the parameters of the neurons, the connections between the neurons and the associated weights to yield the best results. The genetic algorithm evaluates current candidate structures for accomplishing the desired result and develops new candidate structures by reproducing prior candidate structures with modification that replaces the least fit former candidate structures until the system is well satisfied. The vehicle control system is well satisfied when the desired result is met or some failure condition is triggered for vehicle control system whereby the action is never repeated.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved footwear that overcomes many of the limitations of the prior art. A shoe according to the present invention, includes a sole member with an upper surface for receiving a user's foot and a lower surface for contacting a support surface. The sole member has a first sidewall and a second sidewall that are spaced apart and extend between the upper and lower surfaces. The sole member also has a slot defined therethrough, with the slot extending between the first and second sidewalls. A strap has a pair of opposed ends and a midportion therebetween. The midportion is designed to be received in and retained by the slot. The slot also has a closure member for joining the opposed ends. When the midportion of the strap is received in the slot and the closure member joins the opposed ends, the strap and the sole cooperate to form a shoe upper for receiving the foot.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved composite material structure having large portions of additive material aligned over a substantial width of a material structure and occupying a larger percentage of the structure volume. The material structure includes a resilient substrate layer or conventional decking having a plurality of elongated rods arranged on a surface of the substrate layer to form at least one rod layer. The spaces between rods are filled with a slurry material which is allowed to set causing the component elements to bond together to form a lightweight durable and high strength composite material structure.

Abstract: A multiphase composite material having utility as an electrochemical electrode or catalyst includes a first active phase which is an amorphous, electrochemically active material; and a second, stabilizer phase which includes one or more of: metals, carbon, ceramics, and intermetallic compounds. The stabilizer phase is configured as a plurality of spaced apart regions having the active phase disposed therebetween. The active phase may comprise one or more of: Sn, Sb, Bi, Pb, Ag, In, Si, Ge, and Al. The stabilizer phase may include one or more of: Fe, Zr, Ti, and C. Also disclosed are electrodes and batteries which include the material as well as methods for manufacturing the material by using a mechanical alloying process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitive sensing apparatus having utility in object detection security applications whereby the object detection field generated by the apparatus is made steerable. The apparatus includes a power source having a ground connection in communication with at least one sensing circuit operative to detect an object moving within the sensing field. At least one conductive element is provided in communication with electrical ground. To steer the direction of the sensing field, the relative position and distance between the conductive element and the sensing circuit is adjusted such that a desired sensing field pattern is obtained.

Abstract: A system and method of intelligent navigation with collision avoidance for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a global positioning system and a vehicle navigation means in communication with the global positioning system. The system also includes a centrally located processor in communication with the navigation means, and an information database associated with the controller, for identifying a location of a first vehicle and a second vehicle. The system further includes an alert means for transmitting an alert message to the vehicle operator regarding a collision with a second vehicle. The method includes the steps of determining a geographic location of a first vehicle and a second vehicle within an environment using the global positioning system on the first vehicle and the global positioning system on the second vehicle, and modeling a collision avoidance domain of the environment of the first vehicle as a discrete state space Markov Decision Process.

Abstract: A head restraint for use with a seat assembly of an automotive vehicle includes a rigid frame and a plate. The rigid frame has spaced apart and generally upright side members. Each of the side members has an upper end and a lower end. The rigid frame includes a cross member that extends between the upper ends of the side members. The plate is fixedly secured to the side members. The plate is positioned adjacent the lower ends.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved footwear that overcomes many of the limitations of the prior art. A shoe according to the present invention, includes a sole member with an upper surface for receiving a user's foot and a lower surface for contacting a support surface. The sole member has a first sidewall and a second sidewall that are spaced apart and extend between the upper and lower surfaces. The sole member also has a slot defined therethrough, with the slot extending between the first and second sidewalls. A strap has a pair of opposed ends and a midportion therebetween. The midportion is designed to be received in and retained by the slot. The slot also has a closure member for joining the opposed ends. When the midportion of the strap is received in the slot and the closure member joins the opposed ends, the strap and the sole cooperate to form a shoe upper for receiving the foot.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with near-axial geometry includes a linearly elongated handle portion having a handle axis defined along its length. The handle portion is joined to a linearly elongated working portion by an offset portion. The working portion includes a working axis defined along its length, and the working axis and handle axis intersect at an angle which is no greater than 5 degrees. In a specific embodiment, the base of the working tip of the working portion falls within 4 millimeters of the vertex of the angle.

Abstract: The present invention uses multivoice coil drivers in conjunction with the small satellite speakers of multichannel surround sound systems to achieve an overall linear response between 100 Hz to above 15 KHz. The multivoice coil drivers are designed to respond only to frequencies that fall between conventional upper base and lower midrange crossover frequencies which typically extend between 75 Hz and 225 Hz. The invention relies on the characteristics of human hearing which limits the listener's ability to localize the source of sound approximately to the wavelength of the sound being heard. The system may be incorporated in existing front and rear center speakers or separate enclosures to supplement the overall surround sound system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control knob assembly for a register that is used in a blower of an HVAC system of an automobile. The assembly includes a knob portion having an open side for receiving a vane of the register in snap fit engagement. The vane of the register includes a notched portion disposed on a rear edge thereof. A compressively resilient pad is disposed in the notched portion and extends outwardly beyond the rear edge to contact an inner surface of the knob portion and provide a snug fit between the vane and the knob portion. During manipulation of the vane by the user, the compressively resilient pad does not compress resulting in a consistently stable and robust feeling experienced by the user.

Abstract: Horseshoe-like hoof pad lining configuered as an essentially flat plate comprised of flexible plastic material which can be placed within the space defined by the hoof plate between the hoof plate and the hoof sole in order to avoid adhesion of especially snow and ice on the hoof sole, wherein the hoof pad lining is provided with a tube-like hump defining at least partly the enclosed space, which hump comprises a hollow space at least partly filled with air, wherein moreover the hump stands upright on the plastic material plate and extends internally up to the upper end of the hoof pad.

Abstract: A compound of the formula where R1 is H, C1–C4 alkyl and OH; R2 in is H, C1–C4 alkyl and OH; R3 is H and C1–C4 alkyl; R4 is H and C1–C4 alkyl; n is an integer between 0 and 2 inclusive; R5 is a nullity, NHR7C(O)—, C6H4—, C6H4—O—; R7 is C2–C6 alkyl; and R6 is a moiety capable of crossing the blood brain barrier and is as a free compound serotonin, dopamine, blood brain barrier (BBB) peptide, membrane translocating peptide, TAT peptides, bradykinin, beta-endorphin, bombesin, calcitonin, cholecystokinin, an enkephalin, dynorphin, insulin, gastrin, substance P, neurotensin, glucagon, secretin, somatostatin, motilin, vasopressin, oxytocin, prolactin, thyrotropin, an angiotensin, galanin, neuropeptide Y, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, gonadotropnin-releasing hormone, growth hormone-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone, vasoactive intestinal peptidegluconate, transferrin, glucosylamine, amino saccharin, saccharin ester, lactylamine, leucine, tryptophan, amino glutamate and amino cholines.