Abstract: The various implementations described herein include a video camera assembly that includes: (1) a housing; (2) an image sensor encased in the housing and configured to capture activity of the smart home environment; (3) a wireless radio configured to transmit video frames captured by the image sensor to an electronic device via a remote server; (4) at least one infrared transmitter configured to selectively illuminate the smart home environment; (5) one or more circuit boards encased in the housing, the one or more circuit boards including at least one processor mounted thereon; and (6) a heating component coupled to the image sensor, the heating component configured to continuously maintain the image sensor at a temperature above a threshold temperature while the image sensor is capturing the activity of the smart home environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generation and characterization of Archaeal DNA polymerase mutants with deficient 3?-5? exonuclease activity and reduced base analog detection activity. The invention further provides for Archaeal DNA polymerase mutants with deficient 3?-5? exonuclease activity and reduced base analog detection activity containing additional mutations that modulate other DNA polymerase activities including DNA polymerization or reverse transcriptase activity. The invention also discloses methods and applications of DNA polymerases with deficient 3?-5? exonuclease activity and reduced base analog detection activity.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to improve delivery of the multi-phase mixture, in particular hydrocarbons from a well, and to limit the free gas volume. According to the invention, this object is attained in that a partial liquid flow (13) is split off on the pressure side from the main delivery flow and guided to the high-pressure side of at least one ejector pump (2) arranged on the suction side as an auxiliary delivery device. The pump installation provides a feed line (7) connecting the pressure chamber of the displacement pump (1) with the high-pressure side of at least one ejector pump (2), whereby the ejector pump (2) is arranged on the suction side in the delivery direction of the displacement pump (1).

Abstract: The object of the invention is to improve delivery of the multi-phase mixture, in particular hydrocarbons from a well, and to limit the free gas volume. According to the invention, this object is attained in that a partial liquid flow (13) is split off on the pressure side from the main delivery flow and guided to the high-pressure side of at least one ejector pump (2) arranged on the suction side as an auxiliary delivery device. The pump installation provides a feed line (7) connecting the pressure chamber of the displacement pump (1) with the high-pressure side of at least one ejector pump (2), whereby the ejector pump (2) is arranged on the suction side in the delivery direction of the displacement pump (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for processing and transferring mail includes a franking and/or addressing machine and a downstream depositing apparatus for depositing items of mail stackwise one above the other. The mail is transported continuously in the machine by a transporting belt and is printed by a contactless printing device, such as an ink-jet printing head being immobile during printing. A transporting roller over which the mail is guided is disposed in the machine immediately downstream of the belt at a sufficient distance from the printing head and is driven at a circumferential speed greater than that of the belt. An orthogonal distance between the roller and the printing head causes a course of the mail to be determined by the belt alone during printing.

Abstract: A mail processing system has an envelope-separating apparatus with a moistening apparatus for moistening and discharging an envelope in an open state. A franking device is disposed downstream of the envelope-separating apparatus and is optionally provided with weighing scales. In the franking device a moistened glued edge of the envelope flap is pressed against the envelope pocket by pressure-exerting elements also serving for transporting the envelope. A closing module is disposed downstream of the franking device and has a closing-roller pair that is configured in a manner adapted for mixed-mail operation. Because the entire sequence in the franking device takes place between the stages where the glued edge is moistened and the envelope is closed, sufficient time is gained, even at high transporting speeds, in order for the glue to begin to dissolve sufficiently and for the envelope to be reliably closed.

Abstract: A configuration for depositing media, particularly envelopes, transported in a franking and/or addressing machine standing on edge and butting against an inclined guide plate. The configuration is disposed downstream of the franking machine and includes a single-piece insert laterally attached and releasably coupled to the franking machine and an angled depositing box. A depositing box front wall is laterally and slidably coupled to the insert through a slit. The insert has a channel to receive recording media travelling on edge from the franking machine. The channel has a nose at an upstream end and formed as a slanting plane sloping downward in the travelling direction and projecting beyond a side of the insert and into the franking machine guide plane, and a supporting plate at an upstream end and a rear region adapted to a guide plate inclination. The depositing box has three slopes having a wedge-shaped cross-section that is bent on one side and defining a depositing region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a tobacco product for smoking. In order to develop a novel tobacco product for smoking, the following method steps are proposed:a) a mixed mass of tobacco particles, starch or a starch-containing product as binder, and additives is produced;b) the mixed mass is compressed and plasticized in an extruder by the application of thermal and mechanical energy;c) pressurized steam is forced through the mixed mass so as to form channels;d) on leaving the extruder, the plasticized mixed mass, rendered porous by the channels, is expanded or foamed by the drop in temperature and pressure, hardened as a continuous, porous, cylindrical rod and cut to the desired lengths.