Abstract: A vehicle seat component selection system includes a showroom having a vehicle seat component display and a touch screen terminal for input of customer data such as vehicle identification, vehicle assembly location and vehicle assembly volume. The terminal has access to a vehicle seat component database which defines characteristics of each component, such as sourcing location, cost, and compatibility with other components. A customer seat selection report is created by selecting components from the database, with a signal provided in the event incompatible components are selected. The terminal graphically displays the components as they are selected, and indicates a price range for the seat assembly as it is being proposed.

Abstract: A localization service is provided that provides users with online information on local retailers that sell particular products. A user can perform a search using a web page associated with the localization service or by searching using an internet search engine. The user's search includes a search origin. The search origin may be defined in terms of location information such as a place name or a postal code. A search for a particular product at local retailers may be made using search parameters such as search origins, product names, model numbers, product categories, and product attributes. The localization service may provide the user with search results in the form of web pages that list which retailers sell the desired product in the vicinity of the search origin. A targeted advertisement server at the localization service may use display criteria to determine which targeted advertisements should be displayed for the user.

Abstract: A localization service is provided that provides users with online information on local retailers that sell particular products. A user can perform a search using a web page associated with the localization service or by searching using an internet search engine. The user's search includes a search origin. The search origin may be defined in terms of location information such as a place name or a postal code. A search for a particular product at local retailers may be made using search parameters such as search origins, product names, model numbers, product categories, and product attributes. The localization service may provide the user with search results in the form of web pages that list which retailers sell the desired product in the vicinity of the search origin. A targeted advertisement server at the localization service may use display criteria to determine which targeted advertisements should be displayed for the user.

Abstract: A vehicle seat component selection system includes a showroom having a vehicle seat component display and a touch screen terminal for input of customer data such as vehicle identification, vehicle assembly location and vehicle assembly volume. The terminal has access to a vehicle seat component database which defines characteristics of each component, such as sourcing location, cost, and compatibility with other components. A customer seat selection report is created by selecting components from the database, with a signal provided in the event incompatible components are selected. The terminal graphically displays the components as they are selected, and indicates a price range for the seat assembly as it is being proposed.

Abstract: An optical corrosion sensor employs an optical fiber Bragg grating 20 embedded within an optical fiber 18. The grating 20 has a coating 40 made of a material, such as aluminum, which corrodes or can otherwise be removed. The coating 40 exerts forces 46 radially inward around and along the grating 20 so as to cause the wavelength bandwidth of the grating reflectivity profile to become broader and to be shifted relative to its uncoated condition. Also, the forces on the grating 20 are reduced when the coating corrodes, thereby causing the wavelength bandwidth and shift of the reflectivity profile of the grating to narrow and to return to its uncoated condition.

Abstract: An optical corrosion sensor employs an optical fiber Bragg grating 20 embedded within an optical fiber 18. The grating 20 has a coating 40 made of a material, such as aluminum, which corrodes or can otherwise be removed. The coating 40 exerts forces 46 radially inward around and along the grating 20 so as to cause the wavelength bandwidth of the grating reflectivity profile to become broader and to be shifted relative to its uncoated condition. Also, the forces on the grating 20 are reduced when the coating corrodes, thereby causing the wavelength bandwidth and shift of the reflectivity profile of the grating to narrow and to return to its uncoated condition.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a methods of reducing the viability of a proliferating mammalian cells such as cancer cells. In one method cells deficient in p53 activity and in p53 suppressor activity of one or more p53-interacting regulatory proteins cell viability is reduced by increasing the level or activity of p53 in the cell. In another method viability of cells exhibiting p53 activity and p53 suppressor activity of one or more p53-interacting regulatory proteins is reduced by reducing the suppressor activity of the one or more p53-interacting regulatory proteins. Further, cell viability is reduced in cells deficient in p53 activity and exhibiting p53 suppressor activity of one or more p53-interacting regulatory proteins by a method that includes: (a) increasing the level or activity of p53 in the cell, and (b) reducing the suppressor activity of the one or more p53-interacting regulatory proteins.

Abstract: A highly sensitive optical fiber cavity coating removal detector employs an optical fiber 18 having a pair of Bragg gratings 20,30 embedded therein and separated by a section of fiber making up an optical cavity 26. The optical path length of the cavity 26 is sized with the central reflection wavelength of the fiber gratings 20,30 so as to create an optical resonator. The cavity 26 is coated with a material 40 which corrodes or is otherwise removable, such as aluminum. The coating 40 exerts forces 46 radially inward on the cavity 26 so as to cause the refractive index of the cavity and thus its optical path length to change, thereby causing the resonator to come out of resonance. The forces 46 on the cavity 26 are reduced when the coating 40 corrodes, thereby causing the resonator to re-enter resonance. Additionally, the coating causes optical losses to exist due to non-uniform variations in refractive index caused by non-uniform forces from coating irregularities.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for tinting plastic material; specifically, polycarbonate and other plastic eyeglass lenses. The dye solution has an elevated boiling point which allows for dyeing of the material at rates and temperatures above 212 degrees F. The dye solution temperature is maintained and controlled within a preselected tolerance by a temperature controlling unit and its associated heater, which is affixed to the dyeing tank. Dye solution is agitated and dispursed by a stirrer and stirring apparatus, and dye solution level is maintained by an automatic fill apparatus.

Abstract: A readily assemblable and disassemblable wheeled cart incorporating a first internal compartment having vertically aligned grids therein defining individual bat receiving cells, a second compartment divided into a pair of elongated pockets by dividers received in selected grooves in accordance with whether the pockets are to accommodate baseballs or softballs, and a cart-enclosing top hingedly mounted for outward swinging to a platform forming position. The pocket forming dividers include, in each instance, a laterally directed foot which underlies the pocket received balls for a vertical elevation of the balls upon a vertical shifting of the divider.