Abstract: The subject invention provides methods for reducing stroke rate, methods for preventing atrial remodeling, and methods for reversing atrial remodeling by administering budiodarone to reduce atrial fibrillation (AF) episode duration and an anticoagulant (AC). According to some methods of the invention, the average AF episode duration can be reduced to less than about 24, 5, 3 or 1 hour(s), and the maximum AF episode duration may be reduced to less than about 20, 10 or 5 hours. According to some methods of the invention, the reduced stroke rate upon administration of budiodarone and AC is less than the age-adjusted overall stroke rate. Further, some methods provide that patients who were refractory to one or more anti-arrhythmic drugs prior to administration of budiodarone may also be treated. Some methods provide for prevention of atrial remodeling and others provide for the reversal of atrial remodeling, including methods to quantify the reversal of atrial remodeling.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission device has planetary members (23) in rolling contact with radially inner and outer races (12, 14; 36, 37) each comprising axially spaced relatively axially movable parts, and control means (18) for determining the axial separation of the parts (12, 14) of one of the two races, in which the planetary members (23) are connected for drive transmission to an input or output member (30) of the transmission device by connection means which allows the radial position of the planets to vary in response to variation in the axial separation of the parts (12, 14) of the said one of the two races (37), and in which the generatrix of the curved surface (70, 71) of at least one of the races (37) and/or planetary members (23) is non-circular.

Abstract: A sensing system employs multiple sensors utilizing mounting structure integrated into a fifth wheel hitch and which is protected from the environment, is capable of accurately measuring forces along longitudinal and vertical axes for providing information as to roll, pitch, yaw, and drawbar load and which utilizes sensors which provide output signals for display and control. In one embodiment, a fifth wheel includes mounting boxes formed on an undersurface thereof on opposite sides of the kingpin receiving slot and a force-sensing unit mounted within each of said mounting boxes. Each force-sensing unit includes a vertical sensor positioned fore and aft of the vertical hitch axis and forward and aft horizontal force sensors. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the sensors are mounted to the sensing unit utilizing elastomeric springs coupling the fifth wheel plate to the force-sensing unit and a plunger for coupling forces from said elastomeric spring to a force sensor itself.

Abstract: A rear view mirror unit of the type in which light from a region behind an observer is directed to the observer's eye by an optical system including a reflecting component and a refracting component in which the refracting component of the optical system includes a plurality of refracting interfaces inclined to one another and including first and second interfaces of an objective refractor, which converge towards a first side of the longitudinal median plane of the unit and third and fourth interfaces of an ocular refractor which converge towards a second side of the longitudinal median plane of the unit opposite the first. The ocular retractor is transversed twice by the light in its path to the observer's eye from the object, and the refractors may be formed as Fresnel prisms.

Abstract: An optical rear view system for a vehicle, having a reflector mounted to receive light from objects to the rear of the vehicle and to reflect it towards an observer, is provided with at least one further optical component between the reflector and the observer effective to direct towards the observer, by refraction or reflection, a portion of the light which upon reflection at the reflector is not directed towards the observer, whereby to provide a wider field of view than that obtainable from the reflector alone. The reflector is positioned forwardly of the observer so as to be in his field of view and the surface of the system on which light from an object behind the vehicle is first incident lies at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and is inclined such that a forward part of the incident surface is further from the vehicle axis than a rearward part.

Abstract: A vertical and longitudinal force sensor for use in a fifth wheel hitch. The sensor comprises a beam and transducers for measuring the horizontal and vertical deflections at true center of the beam. The beam comprises two outer parts and an inner part which serves to actuate the transducers.

Abstract: A capacitive electro-mechanical transducer for responding to both push and pull, for example in a road vehicle drawbar, involves axially spaced flanges (3) on the one force-transmitting member lying on opposite sides of a transverse portion (1) of the other member. The force is transmitted resiliently between the flanges and the portion, and there are capacitor plates (11) between the flanges (3) and the portion (1), so that on relative displacement the capacitance of one set of plates increases and that of the other set decreases. The plates are symmetrically disposed, e.g. of annular form, and they, or the dielectric (13) between them, can be wavy.

Abstract: A sensor in the drawbar (or fifth-wheel coupling) of a tractor-trailer road vehicle combination senses both push and pull force in a linear proportional manner and produces an electrical signal which is used to act on a continuously proportional solenoid valve in the fluid pressure supply to the trailer brakes to control the trailer braking continuously, during application, in a sense tending to reduce the force in the drawbar to zero. There may be a base pressure applied to the trailer brakes, modified positively or negatively by the pressure from the sensor signal.