Abstract: An implant system includes an implant having a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a central cavity disposed between the proximal and distal end, and a proximal end opening disposed proximal to the central cavity. A toggle is at least partially housed within the central cavity and connected to the body by a toggle hinge connection, the toggle having a toggle lumen extending therethrough. An inserter includes an inserter lumen, and an actuator having a distal actuator tip configured to advance into the proximal end opening. An implant system, kit, method for placing an implant device, devices and systems using a pivot suture, suture loading device and related surgical procedures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pulsed current source comprises a power source, a discharge capacitor, and an inductive element. The discharge capacitor is selectively coupled to either of the power source or the inductive element. When coupled to the power source, the discharge capacitor is charged. The inductive element can be connected to a load. The load can have a current-dependent impedance. When the discharge capacitor is coupled to the inductive element, the discharge capacitor discharges through the inductive element and the load. The discharge capacitor and the inductive element are configured so that the current through the load exhibits a substantially linear rise in a linear operational region. The inductive element is configured to saturate during discharge of the capacitor through the load, so that the saturation of the inductive element causes the current through the load to continue to rise in a substantially linear fashion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides herbicide composition for control of annual and perennial grasses and broadleaf weeds. In one example, a non-selective herbicide composition comprises: a post-emergent herbicidal active agent; and a burndown agent. In another example, a non-selective herbicide composition comprises: a post-emergent herbicidal active agent; a residual control active agent, and a burndown agent.

Abstract: Cartridge packaging for nicotine delivery systems are provided. Various embodiments of cartridge packaging are described that include or use one or more perforations or perforating patterns separating the cartridges. In one embodiment, for example, a cartridge pack can include a plurality of cartridge pack cavities that are each configured to receive a vaporizer cartridge and separated by a vertical perforation region, and a void cavity separated from the plurality of cartridge pack cavities by a horizontal perforation region. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: Epoxidized natural rubber compositions, elastomer blends containing an epoxidized natural rubber, and materials containing carbon black and epoxidized natural rubber.

Abstract: A method of protecting slurry handling equipment is presented which involves (a) identifying one or more types of wear events (erosion, abrasion, corrosion) to which a surface of the slurry handling equipment is susceptible during operation; (b) estimating the severity of each type of wear event the surface will experience during operation; and (c) applying one or more of a thermal spray coating comprising a metal carbide or a metal nitride, and an erosion resistant organic coating to the surface. The types and severity of the wear events are predicted using one or more computational fluid dynamics models, and the application of either or both of the thermal spray coating and the erosion resistant organic coating to the surface is predicated on the types of wear events identified and their estimated severity. In addition, slurry handling equipment and components thereof protected using the method are provided.

Abstract: An automotive battery pack enclosure, assembly and method of housing battery pack cells within an enclosure. The enclosure includes a tray that defines a mounting surface for the various individual battery cells, as well as an upstanding wall, while the assembly further includes numerous individual battery cells aligned along a stacking axis within the enclosure. The wall is made from a continuous extruded preform with periodically-spaced miters that permit bending such that the wall can assume any shape defined by the various panels. The panels cooperative with the peripheral edges of the tray to define a battery container with a footprint shape generally similar to that of the tray. By being formed from a substantially one-piece preform, all of the corners—save the one formed where wall ends are brought into adjacent cooperation with one another—define a continuous structural seal without the need for sealants, welds or other supplemental closure approaches.

Abstract: A method in a flow controller for selecting optimal path is provided. A plurality of potential flow paths in the network for a particular pair of source and destination switch ports is determined in a flow controller. A plurality of cost factors associated with each of the plurality of potential flow paths is identified. Individual cost values are determined for each of the identified plurality of cost factors for each of the plurality of potential flow paths by multiplying the identified cost factors by a stratification factor. A single cost value for each of the plurality of potential flow paths is determined based on the determined individual cost values. One of the potential flow paths is selected in the flow controller for the particular pair of source and destination switch ports based upon the determined single cost value.

Abstract: A calibration track to use for pedometer calibration can be automatically selected based on detecting sustained locomotion activity and an ability to obtain and maintain a reliable location fix over a calibration period. Calibration tracks can be generated, rated for quality, and used to compute calibration parameters to convert accelerometer data to stride length and/or distance traveled. Quality of a calibration can be assessed, and old and new calibration parameter sets can be combined based on quality weights assigned to each. Calibration parameters can be separately maintained for different locomotion activities and/or different on-body locations of the pedometers. Pedometer devices can also cooperatively calibrate each other.

Abstract: Provided herein is a heat exchange assembly for conducting air flow through an air cooled vehicle battery, including: a housing enclosing a battery pack having a plurality of cells; and a manifold operably connected to the housing, wherein the manifold includes an inlet for receiving air flow into the battery pack and an outlet for exhausting air flow out of the battery pack, wherein the inlet and the outlet form a single heat exchange duct that passes through a single opening on a face of the housing. Also provided herein is a vehicle incorporating the disclosed heat exchange assembly and a method of conducting air flow through an air cooled battery in a vehicle.

Abstract: A method in a flow controller for selecting optimal path is provided. A plurality of potential flow paths in the network for a particular pair of source and destination switch ports is determined in a flow controller. A plurality of cost factors associated with each of the plurality of potential flow paths is identified. Individual cost values are determined for each of the identified plurality of cost factors for each of the plurality of potential flow paths by multiplying the identified cost factors by a stratification factor. A single cost value for each of the plurality of potential flow paths is determined based on the determined individual cost values. One of the potential flow paths is selected in the flow controller for the particular pair of source and destination switch ports based upon the determined single cost value.

Abstract: An electronic pedometer device can be calibrated using other pedometer devices that the user happens to be wearing. For example, a first pedometer can be incorporated into a device wearable on a first portion of a user's body (e.g., the wrist) while a second pedometer is incorporated into a device wearable on another portion of the user's body (e.g., the waist). The pedometer devices can communicate with each other to initiate a calibration period, during which data regarding measured accelerations, step count and/or user location is gathered. After the calibration period, one or both of the devices can use the data to compute calibration parameters, such as a conversion factor for converting a step count to distance and/or other parameters for converting measured accelerations to distance traveled.

Abstract: An automotive battery pack enclosure, assembly and method of housing battery pack cells within an enclosure. The enclosure includes a tray that defines a mounting surface for the various individual battery cells, as well as an upstanding wall, while the assembly further includes numerous individual battery cells aligned along a stacking axis within the enclosure. The wall is made from a continuous extruded preform with periodically-spaced miters that permit bending such that the wall can assume any shape defined by the various panels. The panels cooperative with the peripheral edges of the tray to define a battery container with a footprint shape generally similar to that of the tray. By being formed from a substantially one-piece preform, all of the corners—save the one formed where wall ends are brought into adjacent cooperation with one another—define a continuous structural seal without the need for sealants, welds or other supplemental closure approaches.

Abstract: Provided herein is a heat exchange assembly for conducting air flow through an air cooled vehicle battery, including: a housing enclosing a battery pack having a plurality of cells; and a manifold operably connected to the housing, wherein the manifold includes an inlet for receiving air flow into the battery pack and an outlet for exhausting air flow out of the battery pack, wherein the inlet and the outlet form a single heat exchange duct that passes through a single opening on a face of the housing. Also provided herein is a vehicle incorporating the disclosed heat exchange assembly and a method of conducting air flow through an air cooled battery in a vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring objects in a system diagram to access interfaces of other objects are described. A first node and a second node may be displayed in the system diagram. The second node may implement one or more interfaces, where each interface includes one or more callable functions. An interface wire connecting the first node to the second node may be displayed in response to user input. The system may automatically configure the first node to access at least one of the one or more interfaces of the second node in response to displaying the interface wire.

Abstract: A modular battery pack and method of making a battery pack. Prismatic battery cells are aligned within the enclosure such that reconfigurable adjusting of the enclosure and its components may take place without having to redesign either. In this way, battery packs containing a different number of successively smaller battery modules or battery cells may be placed within the common enclosure. Slidably mountable features of at least some of the components within the enclosure help promote this modularity. The enclosure includes a tray that defines a substantially constant section along a mounting surface that corresponds to a stacking axis of the aligned prismatic cells or modules. Numerous brackets that can help secure the batteries, their electrical leads or components are disposed along a portion of the mounting surface such that the cooperation between the brackets and the mounting surface of the tray is invariant, regardless of where along the elongate dimension the cooperation occurs.

Abstract: A calibration track to use for pedometer calibration can be automatically selected based on detecting sustained locomotion activity and an ability to obtain and maintain a reliable location fix over a calibration period. Calibration tracks can be generated, rated for quality, and used to compute calibration parameters to convert accelerometer data to stride length and/or distance traveled. Quality of a calibration can be assessed, and old and new calibration parameter sets can be combined based on quality weights assigned to each. Calibration parameters can be separately maintained for different locomotion activities and/or different on-body locations of the pedometers. Pedometer devices can also cooperatively calibrate each other.

Abstract: An expansion joint bracket retains an expansion joint board in a concrete installation. The expansion joint bracket may include a base member having multiple nail holes for securing the bracket to the earth (or sand or gravel put down prior to pouring concrete there upon). First and second board support members may run perpendicular to the base and parallel to each other to hold the expansion joint board in place. Gussets, typically triangular shaped gussets, extend from the board support members to the base member. The expansion joint brackets may be disposed every 12-24 inches on the expansion joint board and concrete may be poured over the expansion joint brackets.