Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating pulse pacing in a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (“WCD”). In one aspect the WCD circuitry includes a power source such as a battery coupled to a charger that provides charge energy to an energy storage module. Control circuitry is operatively coupled to the charger and the output circuitry, and configured to cause the WCD circuitry to generate pacing pulses delivered to therapy electrodes (attached to an ambulatory patient) without a current source. The WCD circuitry includes one or more processing elements that are used to execute instructions provided by one or more software modules that are configured to support various functionality, including controlling generation of pacing pulses.

Abstract: Structured surfaces are described. In one embodiment, the structured surface comprises a plurality of structures having a complement cumulative slope magnitude distribution (Fcc) such that at least 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90% of structures have a slope greater than 10 degrees; and less than 80% of the structures have a slope greater than 35 degrees. In other embodiments, the structures comprise peaks and valleys defined by a Cartesian coordinate system such that the peaks and valleys have a width and length in the x-y plane and a height in the z-direction and at least a portion of the peaks and/or valleys vary in height in the y direction and/or the x-direction by at least 10% of the average height. Articles and methods are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system with a power management device, a wakeup circuit, a battery management device, and a connector. During a powered down mode of operation, the battery management device can provide, via the connector, a bias voltage to the wakeup circuit. In response to a wakeup switch being activated, the battery management device can provide a power supply (e.g., from a battery) to the power management device. Benefits of the wakeup circuit include (1) a reduction of battery consumption—and thus improving battery lifetime—when the electronic system is in a powered down mode of operation because the wakeup circuit has lower number of active components compared to other designs and (2) a non-complex wakeup circuit design because one or more existing connector interconnects between the power management device and the battery management device can be re-used during electronic system's powered down mode of operation.

Abstract: A marker useful in recording a desired setting of an amplifier, of the type comprising a control panel having at least one control knob disposed thereon, is disclosed. The marker comprises a sheet of material having a first major surface securable along the control panel adjacent a portion of the control knob proximate an approximate desired setting of the control knob. A second major surface of the sheet of material opposite the first major surface is capable of receiving a mark thereon to further indicate a desired setting of the control knob.

Abstract: A method for producing a substantially metallic iron-containing product from iron oxide. The metallic iron produced according to the invention is non-pyrophoric and may be safely shipped and handled without additional process steps. The method of the invention is simple, economical, and produces high quality metallic product which may be used as a feed for Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), Blast Furnaces and Cupolas among other applications.

Abstract: A method for producing a substantially metallic iron-containing product from iron oxide. The metallic iron produced according to the invention is non-pyrophoric and may be safely shipped and handled without additional process steps. The method of the invention is simple, economical, and produces high quality metallic product which may be used as a feed for Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), Blast Furnaces and Cupolas among other applications.

Abstract: A four-point seat belt system for restraining a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat is disclosed. Two shoulder belts are provided which are buckled together with a pair of lap belts. The convergence of the shoulder belts created at the buckles defines a V-shaped configuration which aids in occupant safety and comfort. Movably-adjustable retractors are provided to anchor the upper end of each shoulder belt to the vehicle seat. A movable headrest having a pair of laterally-adjustable belt loops is provided to further enhance occupant security and comfort.

Abstract: A four-point seat belt system for restraining a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat is disclosed. Two shoulder belts are provided which are buckled together with a pair of lap belts. The convergence of the shoulder belts created at the buckles defines a V-shaped configuration which aids in occupant safety and comfort. Movably-adjustable retractors are provided to anchor the upper end of each shoulder belt to the vehicle seat. A movable headrest having a pair of laterally-adjustable belt loops is provided to further enhance occupant security and comfort.

Abstract: A method of aligning fibers on a substrate includes placing a grooved substrate on a base next to an opening formed through a top surface of the base, flowing air through the opening to draw the plurality of fibers down towards the top surface of the substrate or base, placing a set of fibers to extend over the substrate or base and over the opening and bonding the plurality of fibers to the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing a fiber on a substrate, the apparatus including a base, a supporting member attached to the base, a first placement head attached to the support member, the first placement head having an extendable plunger slidably coupled to the first placement head, the first placement head having an airflow channel formed proximate to a tip of the plunger, a substrate carrier attached to the base, wherein, during operation of the apparatus, the substrate carrier holds a substrate beneath the plunger mechanism, and wherein, during operation of the apparatus, a vacuum source is connected to the placement head to draw a flow of air through the airflow channel, and wherein, during operation of the apparatus, the placement head picks up and holds a fiber against the plunger tip using forces associated with the flow of air.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate having at least one opening through a top surface to a bottom surface, the substrate also having a first plurality of aligned grooves formed in the top surface and a plurality of fibers, where each of the plurality of fibers are positioned over the opening and in contact with the substrate within a corresponding one of the first plurality of grooves. In another aspect, a method of manipulating fibers includes placing a plurality of fibers on a substrate to extend over an opening formed through a top surface of the substrate to a bottom surface of the substrate, and flowing air through the opening to draw the plurality of fibers down towards the top surface of the substrate, and positioning each of said plurality of fibers in substantial alignment.

Abstract: A programmable seat belt damper assembly for a seat belt in a motor vehicle. The programmable seat belt damper assembly includes a retractor operatively connected to the seat belt for winding and unwinding the seat belt. The programmable seat belt damper assembly also includes a rotary damper operatively connected to the retractor and having a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein. The programmable seat belt damper assembly further includes a controller electrically connected to the rotary damper to control an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid to increase and decrease a damping torque of the rotary damper for the unwinding of the seat belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a fiber to an optical device includes a base, a fiber holder mounted on the base, the fiber holder holding the fiber during operation of the apparatus, a first movable stage mounted on the base, the first movable stage holding the optical device during operation of the apparatus, a second movable stage mounted on the base, wherein the second movable stage is configured to move parallel to the first movable stage, a fiber positioner attached to the second movable stage, and a processor programmed to control the movement of the first movable stage and the second movable stage, wherein, during operation of the apparatus, the processor moves the first movable stage and the second movable stage towards the fiber.

Abstract: A programmable seat back damper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a generally horizontal seat cushion portion and a generally upright back portion operatively connected to the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly includes a recliner for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly also includes a damper for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion and having a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein. The programmable seat back damper assembly further includes a controller electrically connected to the damper to control an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid to increase and decrease damping of the damper for adjusting an angle of the seat back portion relative to the seat cushion portion.

Abstract: A test apparatus is provided for measuring loads applied to an object and for measuring the deformation of the object in response to the loads. The test apparatus includes a stationary work head and a movable arm. The movable arm is selectively movable toward or away from the stationary work head. A load cell has a driven end mounted to the movable arm and a sensing end spaced from the movable arm. A movable work head is mounted to the sensing end and is configured for applying a load to a test object positioned between the stationary and movable work heads. A liner scale also is mounted to the sensing end of the load cell, and a linear encoder or read head is mounted in spaced relationship to the linear scale. The encoder reads deflection in the apparatus in view of loads applied during a test. A controller is provided for moving the movable work head in accordance with test parameters.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system for a vehicle seat includes a three-point belt assembly comprising a shoulder belt and a lap belt releasably secured at an first buckle element and a supplemental shoulder belt having an upper end adjacent an upper first portion of the seat back and a lower end releasably secured to a second buckle element. The second buckle element is secured to the lap belt attachment in a position to restrain the second ends of the lap belt and supplemental shoulder belt in a configuration that is symmetric about the centerline of the seat with the configuration of the first ends of the lap belt and the shoulder belt where they are secured to the first buckle element. The load-carrying paths for the first ends of the lap belt and shoulder belt intersect one another at an intersection point that is symmetric with the intersection point where the load-carrying paths for the second ends of the lap belt and supplemental shoulder belt intersect one another about.

Abstract: A roadway base comprises oily sludge, steelmaking slag fines, and an additive selected from the group consisting of cement, fly ash, asphaltic emulsion, and mixtures thereof

Abstract: A programmable seat back damper assembly for a motor vehicle includes a generally horizontal seat cushion portion and a generally upright back portion operatively connected to the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly includes a recliner for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion. The programmable seat back damper assembly also includes a damper for operative connection to the seat back portion and the seat cushion portion and having a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein. The programmable seat back damper assembly further includes a controller electrically connected to the damper to control an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid to increase and decrease damping of the damper for adjusting an angle of the seat back portion relative to the seat cushion portion.

Abstract: A seat belt restraint system is provided for a vehicle seat having a seat back extending between a top and bottom portion and a seat cushion extending between an inboard and outboard side. The seat belt restraint system includes a clasp interconnecting an inboard shoulder belt webbing with an inboard lap belt webbing adjacent the inboard side of the seat cushion. The seat belt restraint system further includes a buckle interconnecting an outboard shoulder belt webbing with an outboard lap belt webbing adjacent the outboard side of the seat cushion. The seat belt restraint system includes a buckle anchor mounted to the inboard side of the seat cushion for lockably receiving the buckle. The buckle includes an outboard connect mechanism for releasably locking the clasp to the buckle and define a four point seat belt configuration with the buckle and clasp positioned midway between the inboard and outboard side of the seat cushion.

Abstract: A livestock blow dryer includes a blower housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening with a slot adjacent to the inlet opening. Within the blower housing are two blower motors for blowing air through the outlet opening. The blow dryer includes a filter cartridge adapted to be inserted into the slot so that air coming through inlet opening goes through the filter. The filter cartridge includes an outer perimeter section, a filter section within the outer perimeter, and a tab attached to the cartridge for inserting and removing the filter cartridge to and from the slot. The livestock blow dryer includes a frusto-conical shaped nozzle adapted to cover the outlet opening. The end of the nozzle has a holding member for attaching a hose to the nozzle.