Abstract: A battery connector includes a first end terminal, at least one intermediate terminal and a second end terminal. The at least one intermediate terminal is in communication with the first end terminal via a first flexible cable. The first flexible cable is affixed to the at least one intermediate terminal and the first end terminal. The second end terminal is in communication with the at least one intermediate terminal via a second flexible cable, the second flexible cable being affixed to the at least one intermediate terminal and the second end terminal.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided including a housing. A mounting plate is provided having a mounting surface configured to be mechanically coupled to a circuit board. An opening extends through the mounting plate. The opening has an interior contour shaped to slidably receive a post of the housing as the mounting plate is loaded onto the post until the mounting plate rests on a plate surface of the housing. An engagement feature is provided on the mounting plate. The engagement feature secures the mounting plate to the housing. The engagement feature displaces a plate securing portion formed on the housing to secure the mounting plate to the housing with an interference fit.

Abstract: An engine system includes a throttle actuator module and a torque control module. The throttle actuator module controls a throttle actuator based on a desired throttle area. The torque control module determines an actuator torque. The torque control module determines a rate limited torque, a maximum torque, and a minimum torque based on the actuator torque and a predetermined rate of change. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is greater than the maximum torque. The torque control module determines the desired throttle area based on the actuator torque when the rate limited torque is less than the minimum torque.

Abstract: A device for providing a lever attachment to round doorknobs having a flexible cylindrical part that adapts to the majority of doorknobs of different diameters, thicknesses and profiles. During the screw tightening the compressible elastomeric material sandwiched between doorknob and cylindrical part of the attachment increases the interface contact surface to take the shape of the doorknob profile. The elastomeric insert has a high coefficient of friction. It prevents slipping of the attachment after tightening.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided including a housing. A mounting plate is provided having a mounting surface configured to be mechanically coupled to a circuit board. An opening extends through the mounting plate. The opening has an interior contour shaped to slidably receive a post of the housing as the mounting plate is loaded onto the post until the mounting plate rests on a plate surface of the housing. An engagement feature is provided on the mounting plate. The engagement feature secures the mounting plate to the housing. The engagement feature displaces a plate securing portion formed on the housing to secure the mounting plate to the housing with an interference fit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing two or more composite parts, the method comprising: assembling the composite parts on a mandrel by laying a series of layers of bands of composite material onto the mandrel with a placement machine,—rotating the mandrel as the bands are laid onto the mandrel; attaching two or more debulk frames (10, 11) to the mandrel between opposed edges of the composite parts after the composite parts have been assembled; wrapping the mandrel, debulk frames (10, 11) and composite parts in a debulk bag; heating the composite parts,—forming a vacuum between the mandrel and the debulk bag so that the debulk bag is sucked into voids between the debulk frames and the heated composite parts and progressively presses against the heated composite parts whereby excess material is squeezed by the debulk bag towards their opposed edges; and removing the debulk bag and the composite parts from the mandrel.

Abstract: The serum-free culture of normal human epithelial stem cells is of paramount importance for the in vitro formation of cloned human tissues by means of cell therapy. Several growth promoting agents are disclosed for use in a serum-free culture medium of normal human keratinocytes. Lithium ions, dibutryl-cyclic adenosine monophosphate, and prostaglandin E1 have been found effective as growth enhancing agents to be added singly or in combination, when used in combination with insulin-like growth factor-1. Lithium ions and prostaglandin E1 are disclosed as independent growth enhancing factors, that replace epidermal growth factor as a necessary growth factor required for keratinocyte clonal growth.

Abstract: An exhaust system for use with a diesel engine includes a diesel particulate filter configured to capture particulate matter exhausted from the diesel engine, a first sensor operable to detect a particulate matter accumulation level within the diesel particulate filter, and a second sensor operable to detect an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the diesel particulate filter. The exhaust system also includes a control module electrically coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the diesel particulate filter. The control module is operable to adjust a first regeneration threshold based on the detected ambient temperature. The control module is also operable to initiate regeneration of the diesel particulate filter when the detected particulate matter accumulation level reaches the first regeneration threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cotton parp2 gene or cDNA sequences to obtain stress tolerant cotton plants. Various cotton parp2 sequences are also provided.

Abstract: Dimers of a peptide from the T-cell receptor (Cys Lys Pro Ile Ser Gly His Asn Ser Leu Phe Trp Tyr Arg Gln Thr) (SEQ ID NO:1) are disclosed for preventing the progression to AIDS in an animal model. Methods for delaying the progression to AIDS and restoring normal immunological responses in an animal model following infection are shown and comprise administering through various systemic routes dimeric T-cell receptor peptide V? CDR1 to restore normal levels of Th1 cytokines interleukin 2 and interferon-?, which are suppressed following infection, and those of Th2 derived cytokines interleukin 5, interleukin 6, interleukin 10, and immunoglobulin G, which are stimulated following infection.

Abstract: A square rigged sail wind turbine includes a vertical main shaft (with a vertical axis of rotation), with parallel horizontal yardarms, cross-connected and corner braced, to the vertical main shaft. A sail assembly is included that comprises rectangular sails in frames pivotally attached at the tip of parallel horizontal yardarms. The rectangular sails in frames are configured to move between a closed position and an open position relative to the parallel horizontal yardarms. An outer support structure made of vertical columns with lateral cross bracing, joins together at the vertical main shaft in the middle and top, and is coupled thereto with self-aligning split bearings. The support columns are anchored to the ground firmly with three-way guy-wire in two places on each column, thereby providing more support to the structure. Thus, the present invention is an improved technique for providing wind power to produce electrical energy at ground level.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for providing a durable, non-stick coating on steel and/or cast iron surfaces are disclosed. Disclosed is a method for coating a steel or cast iron substrate, the method comprising contacting at least a portion of a steel or cast iron substrate with a porcelain enamel coating formulation to form a first coating, roughening at least a portion of the first coating, and then contacting that portion of first coating with a sol-gel composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of agriculture, more specifically to the use of molecular biology techniques to alter fiber-producing plants, particularly cotton plants, and/or accelerate breeding of such fiber-producing plants. Methods and means are provided to alter fiber qualities, such as increasing fiber strength. Methods are also provided to identify molecular markers associated with fiber strength in a population of cotton varieties and related progenitor plants.

Abstract: An oral care implement, such as an electric toothbrush, is ergonomically configured for the anatomical structures of children. In one embodiment, a toothbrush is provided with three dimensional sections in visually appealing or recognizable shapes for promoting more frequent of brushing by children. In another embodiment, a toothbrush includes user replaceable sections or covers that allow a user to selectively tailor the visual appearance of their own toothbrush or allow for increased exposure of other products by providing surface areas for placement of advertising or other promotional material.

Abstract: Techniques for nitridation of copper (Cu) wires. In one aspect, a method for nitridation of a Cu wire is provided. The method includes the following step. The Cu wire and trimethylsilylazide (TMSAZ) in a carrier gas are contacted at a temperature, pressure and for a length of time sufficient to form a nitridized layer on one or more surfaces of the Cu wire. The Cu wire can be part of a wiring structure and can be embedded in a dielectric media. The dielectric media can comprise an ultra low-k dielectric media.

Abstract: A method of achieving a desired torque output of an internal combustion engine includes determining a first air-per-cylinder (APC) value based on a first APC relationship and determining a second APC value based on a second APC relationship. An APC error is determined based on the second APC value. Operation of the engine is regulated based on the first APC value when the APC error is greater than a threshold error. Operation of the engine based on the second APC value when the APC error is not greater than the threshold error.

Abstract: A titration package and method for enabling compliance with a regimen of changing dosage of medication over a period of time includes a backing having an array of receivers with the array including a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. A plurality of sets of Memantine tablets are provided with each tablet set having a common dose of medication and a different does than a tablet of a different set. Each set of tablets is disposed in receivers of one having an adjacent row and an adjacent column. Indicia is provided and disposed adjacent to the columns and rows for displaying common days and successive weeks.

Abstract: An exhaust system for use with a diesel engine includes a diesel particulate filter configured to capture particulate matter exhausted from the diesel engine, a first sensor operable to detect a particulate matter accumulation level within the diesel particulate filter, and a second sensor operable to detect an ambient temperature of an environment surrounding the diesel particulate filter. The exhaust system also includes a control module electrically coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the diesel particulate filter. The control module is operable to adjust a first regeneration threshold based on the detected ambient temperature. The control module is also operable to initiate regeneration of the diesel particulate filter when the detected particulate matter accumulation level reaches the first regeneration threshold.

Abstract: A cosmetic and dermatological composition comprises 2, 3-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-H-indole-3-acetic acid (4-hydroxy-1-oxindole-3-acetic acid) as an active ingredient for use as a melanin inhibitor and as an anti-tyrosinase enzyme inhibitor. This composition is excellent as a skin whitening agent. Since it also has potent antioxidant and anti-irritant activities it is useful in a cosmetic composition for improving hyperpigmentation disorders of the skin.

Abstract: A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea includes an anchoring element having scar tissue located in an inframandibular region, and a tongue implant having at least one arm extending therefrom, whereby the tongue implant is implantable in a tongue with the at least one arm being connectable with the anchoring element for coupling the tongue implant with the anchoring element. In one embodiment, the anchoring element includes a first implant part such as a flexible layer implantable in the inframandibular region and the scar tissue is formed on, in, and/or around the first implant part. The tongue implant is coupled with the anchoring element and/or the scar tissue through the at least one arm. The length of the at least one arm may be adjusted for shifting the tongue anteriorly.