Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes an engine for generating torque for propelling the vehicle, a transmission selectively coupled to the engine for receiving torque from the engine and having a plurality of gear selections each of which have a gear ratio which converts the torque from the engine to an output torque, a vehicle location identifier that identifies a location of the vehicle and provides a vehicle location signal indicating a location of the vehicle, and a controller that is programmed to record a shift history comprising gear selection, duration of gear selection, and vehicle location of each gear selection, identify a gear selection having a duration less than a predetermined duration, and revise a shift parameter for a gear selection having a duration less than the predetermined duration.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for tanning a substrate using at least one ionic liquid. The at least one ionic liquid can be used in at least one of the following tanning steps: tanning, re-tanning, preservation, liming, pickling, impregnation, lubrication, dyeing, fatliquoring or finishing.

Abstract: An exemplary feature is a method for using XML Schema based standards. The method consists of constructing a reduced schema for a specific interaction from a collection of reusable artifacts. The method further consists of publishing the reduced schema in a repository thereby allowing the reduced schema to be reused.

Abstract: A massage glove having a plurality of vibratory motors secured within it on the palm side. The glove employs small vibrator motors located within the glove fingers. The motors are of a size and weight such that ordinary movement of the therapist's fingers within the glove in traditional massaging movements is not hampered. A heating element may be included in the glove for applying heat in addition to the vibration and the more traditional massage.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a computer system includes a display portion configured to display a representation of a first three-dimensional object, wherein the first three-dimensional object has an associated first volume, and a control icon associated with the first three-dimensional object, wherein the control icon is configured to allow a user to specify a bend amount to the first three-dimensional object in a first dimension, wherein the display portion is also configured to display a representation of a bent first three-dimensional object, wherein the bent first three-dimensional object comprises the first three-dimensional object that is bent lengthwise in response to the bend amount, and that may have an adjusted thickness in response to the bend amount.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a computer system includes a display portion configured to display a representation of a first three-dimensional object and a second three-dimensional object, wherein the first three-dimensional object has an associated first volume, and wherein the second three-dimensional object has an associated second volume, and a control icon associated with the first three-dimensional object, wherein a user can specify a modification to the first three-dimensional object in a first dimension via the control icon, wherein the display portion is also configured to display a representation of a modified first three-dimensional object, wherein the modified first three-dimensional object comprises the first three-dimensional object that is modified in the first dimension in response to the modification and that is modified in a second dimension in response to the modification and to a volume preservation value.