Abstract: An apparatus for producing an ignition spark in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises an inductive ignition device having a primary coil and a secondary coil, flow of current through the primary coil being controlled by an electronic switching element (e.g., a transistor) responsive to a triggering signal. A rotatable body (e.g., the engine flywheel) having detectable features on a periphery thereof is also provided. A sensor device is located adjacent to the rotatable body at a fixed position and is operative to produce an output in response to the detectable features. The apparatus also includes a controller operative to receive an output from the sensor device and responsively produce the triggering signal so as to have a selected dwell time and ignition position.

Abstract: A method and cosmetic composition for improving skin firmness are provided through an anhydrous composition including a hydrophobic carrier which may be a silicone or hydrocarbon for delivering an effective amount of a ceramide formed of a sphingoid base linked through an amide to a 2-hydroxycarboxylic C.sub.2 -C.sub.30 group.