Abstract: Three methods of constructing tires having functionally graded belts are provided. According to one method a bandage is used to hold neighboring belt segments in position so they may be simultaneously applied to a carcass. According to a second method, longitudinal incisions are applied to a belt ply to achieve the desired belt stiffness. According to a third method clamps are applied to a belt ply to reorient the belt cords.

Abstract: An educational system utilizing emblems, logos, or any other type of insignia, for object oriented learning of innovation, design, business, recycling skills, and history. The system includes each of the following: a first set of educational tutorials including information on principles of solution inventive problems, design, business, recycling, and history of technical and non-technical fields, and didactic materials facilitating learning and practicing said principles, including specific examples, tests, quizzes, and games; a collection of emblems, logos, or any other type of insignia and/or their images arranged in a way facilitating learning said skills; a collection of information related to the said insignia directly, i.e. related to the development of the said insignia, corresponding entity that developed the insignia, or services and products produced by the entity; at least a portion of such information being textual; a collection of information related to the said insignia indirectly, i.e.

Abstract: A reusable test unit is disclosed for testing the functionality of a portable blood analyzer, and particularly the interface between the high-impedance electrochemical sensors and the instrument. Signals are generated to simulate amperometric, conductimetric, and potentiometric sensors. Circuitry permits detection and discrimination between failures from damaged CMOS amplifiers and failures from leakage currents in contaminated connectors. The test unit may be configured to be insertable into the instrument to fit mechanically in the same fashion as a disposable sensor device. A scheme for three-dimensional routing of guard lines on a circuit board is disclosed for guarding against coupling between closely space traces and connector pads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for tracking instantaneous changes in blood pressure. The invention is utilized in an oscillometric blood pressure measuring apparatus of the type measuring pulsatile perturbations in a patient's blood pressure at a plurality of different measurement pressures of a sphygmomanometer cuff, to derive a blood pressure model for the patient, the model being stored in the apparatus as a series of pulsatile perturbations and the associated cuff pressures. A characteristic curve is generated so as to approximate the stored model in the vicinity of a predefined index value of cuff pressure. The pressure of the cuff is maintained within a predetermined range, r, of the index value, while changes in the index value are tracked by sensing a pulsatile perturbation in the cuff pressure, deriving the corresponding value for cuff pressure from the characteristic curve, and utilizing the derived pressure as a new estimate for the index value.