Abstract: The present invention provides a system which integrates motor vehicle component operation into actuators located in the rim of a motor vehicle steering wheel. The two actuators of the system of the present invention are located in an arc segment of the steering wheel defined by the three o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the right-hand actuator and the nine o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the left-hand actuator. The actuators may operate in parallel with a conventional stalk switch or controls associated with an on board computer and only operate a motor vehicle component when activated and subsequently depressed. The integrated vehicle control system and apparatus of the present invention further provides for vehicle component operation which does not require a driver to remove his or her hands from the steering wheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which integrates motor vehicle component operation into actuators located in the rim of a motor vehicle steering wheel. The two actuators of the system of the present invention are located in an arc segment of the steering wheel defined by the three o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the right-hand actuator and the nine o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the left-hand actuator. The actuators may operate in parallel with a conventional stalk switch or controls associated with an on board computer and only operate a motor vehicle component when activated and subsequently depressed. The integrated vehicle control system and apparatus of the present invention further provides for vehicle component operation which does not require a driver to remove his or her hands from the steering wheel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical sensing apparatus for measuring a change in a first property. The optical sensing apparatus comprises first and second optical fibre portions and a sensing region for exposing both the first and second optical fibre portions to a change in an applied force. The force is, or is related to, the first property and has a component that is transversal to the optical fibre portions. The apparatus further comprises a holder for holding the first and second optical fibre portions in the sensing region. The first and second optical fibre portions are arranged relative to each other such that the change in the force results in a first change of an optical property of the first optical fibre portion and in a second change of the optical property of the second optical fibre portion and wherein the first change differs from the second change.

Abstract: A gas burner safety system comprises dual sensor arrays, the first array positioned proximal to the gas burner and the second array positioned proximal to a control used to turn on and of and regulate the flame of the gas burner. The first array senses the flame components such that a flame signature is obtained when no object is placed on or above the flame and a flame image is obtained when an object is proximal to the flame. By comparing the flame signature and the flame image, a central control unit operatively connected to the sensor arrays can determine the presence or absence of an object proximal to the flame. The second sensor array is positioned to detect a human hand proximal to the control. In operation, if the flame image matches the flame signature and a human hand is not detected proximal to the control, the central control unit turns off the gas burner by causing the closure of a valve in the gas supply line to the gas burner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which integrates motor vehicle component operation into actuators located in the rim of a motor vehicle steering wheel. The two actuators of the system of the present invention are located in an arc segment of the steering wheel defined by the three o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the right-hand actuator and the nine o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the left-hand actuator. The actuators may operate in parallel with a conventional stalk switch or controls associated with an on board computer and only operate a motor vehicle component when activated and subsequently depressed. The integrated vehicle control system and apparatus of the present invention further provides for vehicle component operation which does not require a driver to remove his or her hands from the steering wheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which integrates motor vehicle component operation into actuators located in the rim of a motor vehicle steering wheel. The two actuators of the system of the present invention are located in an arc segment of the steering wheel defined by the three o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the right-hand actuator and the nine o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the left-hand actuator. The actuators may operate in parallel with a conventional stalk switch or controls associated with an on board computer and only operate a motor vehicle component when activated and subsequently depressed. The integrated vehicle control system and apparatus of the present invention further provides for vehicle component operation which does not require a driver to remove his or her hands from the steering wheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which integrates motor vehicle component operation into actuators located in the rim of a motor vehicle steering wheel. The two actuators of the system of the present invention are located in an arc segment of the steering wheel defined by the three o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the right-hand actuator and the nine o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the left-hand actuator. The actuators may operate in parallel with a conventional stalk switch or controls associated with an on board computer and only operate a motor vehicle component when activated and subsequently depressed. The integrated vehicle control system and apparatus of the present invention further provides for vehicle component operation which does not require a driver to remove his or her hands from the steering wheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system which integrates motor vehicle component operation into actuators located in the rim of a motor vehicle steering wheel. The two actuators of the system of the present invention are located in an arc segment of the steering wheel defined by the three o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the right-hand actuator and the nine o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the left-hand actuator. The actuators may operate in parallel with a conventional stalk switch or controls associated with an on board computer and only operate a motor vehicle component when activated and subsequently depressed. The integrated vehicle control system and apparatus of the present invention further provides for vehicle component operation which does not require a driver to remove his or her hands from the steering wheel.

Abstract: The present provides a system which integrates motor vehicle turn signal operation into actuators located in the rim of a motor vehicle steering wheel. The actuators of the system of the present invention, one for controlling the right-hand turn signal and one for controlling the left-hand turn signal, are located in an arc segment of the steering wheel defined by the three o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the right-hand actuator and the nine o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the left-hand actuator. The actuators may operate in parallel with a conventional stalk switch and only turn on the respective turn signal lights when activated and subsequently depressed. The turn signal lights turn off when the actuators are released. The integrated turn signal system of the present invention further provides for turn signal operation which does not require a driver to remove his or her hands from the steering wheel.

Abstract: The present provides a system which integrates motor vehicle turn signal operation into actuators located in the rim of a motor vehicle steering wheel. The actuators of the system of the present invention, one for controlling the right-hand turn signal and one for controlling the left-hand turn signal, are located in an arc segment of the steering wheel defined by the three o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the right-hand actuator and the nine o'clock and 12 o'clock positions for the left-hand actuator. The actuators may operate in parallel with a conventional stalk switch and only turn on the respective turn signal lights when activated and subsequently depressed. The turn signal lights turn off when the actuators are released. The integrated turn signal system of the present invention further provides for turn signal operation which does not require a driver to remove his or her hands from the steering wheel.

Abstract: Methods and assays for detecting ?-secretase (BACE-1) activity in body fluids or tissue extracts from individuals, particularly individuals who have Alzheimer's disease, are disclosed. A truncated form of BACE-1 was isolated that can be used as a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hair colouring and hair bleaching compositions comprising a source of carbonate ions, at least one oxidizing agent and a specified amide surfactant. The compositions surprisingly provide improved hair colourant and bleaching compositions which deliver improved lift, lightening and colour delivery whilst minimizing damage which are easy to manufacture and have long shelf life stability.

Abstract: Provided are methods of identifying inhibitors of ?-secretase that employ modified ?-secretase substrates. The modified ?-secretase substrates have ?-secretase cleavage sites that are altered from wild type. The amino acid sequences of the altered ?-secretase cleavage sites contain different amino acids in at least one of the positions P2-P1-P1?-P2? of the ?-secretase cleavage site. Many of the modified ?-secretase substrates are more efficient substrates for ?-secretase than are corresponding substrates having wild-type sequences, that is, these modified substrates are more susceptible to enzymatic breakdown by ?-secretase. Recombinant polynucleotide molecules encoding the modified ?-secretase substrates are provided. Antibodies that recognize cleavage products of the modified ?-secretase substrates are provided. Stable cell lines expressing the modified ?-secretase substrates are provided. Transgenic animals expressing the modified ?-secretase substrates are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic animals having an amyloid precursor protein wherein the amino acids flanking the &bgr; secretase cleavage site are NF and EV. The invention also provides tissues and cell lines derived from such animals. The invention further provides methods of screening candidate compounds to determine whether the compounds can alter the rate of cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by &bgr; secretase.

Abstract: The present invention provides DNA constructs, genetically engineered host cells, and methods for identifying inhibitors of amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing. The methods provide for the convenient identification, in a single assay, of inhibitors of ?-secretase and ?-secretase as well as other forms of APP processing. The methods rely on fusion proteins of APP and transcription factors in which APP processing releases the transcription factors, allowing the transcription factors to activate transcription of a reporter gene. Inhibitors are identified as substances that block or diminish transcription factor release from the fusion protein, thereby causing a diminution of reporter gene readout.

Abstract: A treatment device is provided for applying electrical energy to biological tissue in conjunction with injecting a composition that advantageously diffuses through the tissue. An injector such as a syringe has a reservoir for the treatment composition and injection cannula. The cannula can function as an electrode, and one or more additional electrodes are provided as opposed electrodes. The electrodes can each have tissue penetrating needles, or one or more of the electrodes can have a surface bearing conductive contact part. The syringe or other injector and a drive unit that applies electrical power to the electrodes are operable simultaneously or in a sequence, and can be triggered by switches or automatically upon detection of the injection proceeding to a predetermined state. The treatment device preferably uses a disposable syringe received in a carrier and generally is provided with a non-threatening appearance by minimizing tissue penetration and potential high voltage aspects.