Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes at least two types of cap tread rubber layers made from differing rubber compositions disposed in a tread portion. A tan ? at 60° C. of a rubber composition forming the cap tread rubber layer on a vehicle outer side is greater than a tan ? at 60° C. of a rubber composition forming the cap tread rubber layer on a vehicle inner side. A ratio (tan ?H/tan ?L) of a maximum tan ?H to a minimum tan ?L at 60° C. of the tan ? of the rubber compositions forming the at least two types of cap tread rubber layers is from 1.05 to 1.80 . An under tread rubber layer disposed in the tread portion has an average thickness from 0.8 mm to 4.0 mm. A hardness of a rubber composition forming the under tread rubber layer is from 73 to 83. A tan ? at 60° C. of the rubber composition forming the under tread rubber layer is 0.25 or less.

Abstract: A muffler for raising the audible pitch of an internal combustion engine's exhaust note that includes an enclosed case having an inlet and an outlet, and a plurality of flow-directing components which are adapted to subdivide an inlet flow into a plurality of interior flows, including a first interior flow providing the shortest flow length through the muffler between the inlet and the outlet, a second interior flow having a flow length at least about twice the length of the first interior flow, and one or more intermediate flows following by-pass passages to split off from the second interior flow between the inlet and the outlet and having flow lengths between the flow lengths of the first and second flows.

Abstract: A reflex training system operates on a computer or other processing system, having hand and foot controls for response to stimuli. The use of a computer allows the system to be portable and used in a variety of locations. The system is highly configurable and can be used for training for individuals having different needs and at different levels. The configurability relates to the types of stimuli presented to the user, the types of responses required by the user, and the characteristics of different levels. The system provides a variety of reports relating to performance so that progress can be reviewed. The system can be operated on-line to create a community of users.

Abstract: A method of growing a diamond mass in a liquid growth medium. The liquid growth medium can include a carbon source, a diamond growth catalyst such as a diamond catalyst metal-rare earth element alloy or nanocatalyst, and a dissociated hydrogen of a hydrogen source. The carbon source provides carbon atoms for growing diamond and can include a diamond seed material for diamond growth. The molten liquid phase provides a diamond growth catalyst which allows the carbon to form diamond at the temperature and low pressure conditions discussed. Furthermore, the dissociated hydrogen acts as a concentrator for assembling carbon atoms at a relatively high concentration which mimicks, in some respects, diamond growth under more conventional high pressure processes without the high pressure.

Abstract: An air freshener has a fragrant gel material in a container with a double-wall including an inner wall and an outer wall with an annular gap. A cap was a sleeve extending into the annular gap. An opening is disposed in the sleeve. The cap is movable axially with respect to the container between a raised position in which the opening in the sleeve is exposed at least partially above the double-wall to release fragrance, and a closed position in which the opening in the sleeve is disposed in the annular gap to resist release of fragrance.

Abstract: A support gasket for use with a concrete panel mold system comprises an inner stiffener bar and engagement structure, attached to or formed integrally with the stiffening bar. The engagement structure is operable to engage an adjacent material. A pliable gasket material is disposed about the inner stiffening bar and is positively engaged with the engagement structure to secure the gasket material to the stiffening bar.

Abstract: A miniature quantum fluid transfer system configured to regulate the flow rate of a fluid by allowing passage of very small, discrete increments of fluid through the valve including a valve body having at least one inlet to receive fluid and at least one outlet to release fluid. The quantum fluid transfer system includes a valve rod movably disposed in a first chamber in the valve body. The valve rod has a plurality of fluid passages spaced longitudinally along the valve rod, and the valve rod is movable to align each fluid passage with an inlet or outlet port in the first chamber to allow fluid to flow through selected inlet or outlet ports corresponding to selected fluid passages. The quantum fluid transfer system has a plug movably disposed in a second chamber in the valve body.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for providing sustained in-vivo release of an active agent to a subject. In some aspects, such release may be achieved by reacting an active agent in-vivo with a depot forming agent in order to form a sustained release active agent depot inside the subject. The depot can then release the active agent over a sustained period of time.

Abstract: A dispenser, more particularly, a hand cleaner dispenser incorporating a reader for a user's hand in the form of a palm reader which avoids the need for contact between the user's hand and the dispenser yet provides opportunity for the monitoring of usage including determining the identities of users.

Abstract: A diffusive device has an array of discrete facets which may be of a size and pattern similar to a fractal. The facet dimensions can be greater than half the wavelength of incident light such that the facets substantially diffract light. A polarizing wire-grid layer comprised of an array of elongated parallel conductive wires with a period less than half the wavelength of incident light may be disposed between, beneath, or above the facets. The wire-grid polarizes the light by substantially reflecting light having an s-polarization orientation and substantially transmitting a portion of light having a p-polarization orientation.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a dispensing mechanism, a housing and a container having an interior. The container is removably coupled to the housing for dispensing fluid from the container by the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: A planar filament comprising two bonding pads and a non-linear filament connected between the two bonding pads. The planar filament may be wider in the center to increase filament life. The planar filament can form a double spiral-serpentine shape. The planar filament may be mounted on a substrate for easier handling and placement. Voltage can be used to create an electrical current through the filament, and can result in the emission of electrons from the filament. The planar filament can be utilized in an x-ray tube.

Abstract: Methods for imaging the internal structures of an object using an acoustic wave field are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method of imaging internals of a physical object using acoustic waves may include transmitting an acoustic wave field toward the object, receiving a resultant acoustic wave field with a receiver, where the resultant acoustic wave field is in response to the transmitted acoustic wave field reflected from or transmitted through the object, and determining a predicted resultant acoustic wave field derived from a model of the object. The method may also include determining a residual between the predicted resultant acoustic wave field and the resultant acoustic wave field, and back propagating the residual to determine corrections to the model of the object. In another aspect, the above recited steps may be further iterated to successively refine the model of the object over a number of iterations until a predefined condition is reached.

Abstract: Semiconductor-on-diamond devices and methods for making such devices are provided. One such method may include depositing a semiconductor layer on a semiconductor substrate, depositing an adynamic diamond layer on the semiconductor layer opposite the semiconductor substrate, and coupling a support substrate to the adynamic diamond layer opposite the semiconductor layer to support the adynamic layer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for communicating in a wireless personal area network (WPAN), comprising using Spatial Division Multiple Access (SDMA) in said WPAN network by exploiting directional antennas.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a receiver capable of selecting optimal pilot locations and providing feedback of the pilot locations to a transmitter in communication with the receiver. The optimal pilot locations may be selected by locations that avoid strong interference or platform noise at the receiver, by locations that avoid deep fading, by locations that maximize the spacing between pilot tones at the two ends of a wireless frequency band or by locations that equalize the interspacing between any two adjacent pilots.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions having at least one asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle. An asymmetrically functionalized nanoparticle can comprise a nanoparticle core having an outer surface, a primary group of first ligands attached to a substantially continuous primary region of the outer surface, and a secondary group of second ligands attached to a substantially continuous secondary region of the outer surface, such that the primary group of first ligands and the secondary group of second ligands comprise a different ligand population.

Abstract: An insertion device for inserting a therapeutic device into organic tissue is disclosed and described. The device is particularly suited to insertion of such as nerve stimulating electrode arrays. The insertion device has at least one controllable positive pressure source (greater than atomospheric), two vacuum sources and a dual vacuum pressure control system. The positive pressure and the dual vacuum pressure control systems are manipulated to allow the manipulation and insertion or retrieval of a therapeutic device. The insertion device can be spatially manipulated by hand, without requiring other equipment for positioning the insertion device.