Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for making smoke beverages and foods using multiple condensation stages.

Abstract: A peristaltic micropump includes one or more flexible channels configured to transfer one or more pumped fluids, and an actuator configured to engage the one or more flexible channels and rotate about a central axis. The actuator includes a plurality of rolling elements and a driving element configured such that the driving element operably rotates about the central axis and each rolling element operably rolls about a respective axis that is not parallel to the central axis. The plurality of rolling elements is disposed between the one or more flexible channels and the driving element. The driving element includes a cage configured to capture the plurality of rolling elements such that the plurality of rolling elements is located at different radii from a center of the cage.

Abstract: Provided is a retroreflective article comprising a fibrous material and a perforated retroreflective material attached to said fibrous material. Embodiments of the article achieve desirable values under the ASTM F2731-11 Transmitted and Stored Energy Test, the E96/E96M-12 Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate Test, and ASTM E810-03 (2013) Standard Test Method for Coefficient of Retroreflection of Retroreflective Sheeting Utilizing the Coplanar Geometry.

Abstract: A peristaltic micropump includes one or more flexible channels configured to transfer one or more pumped fluids, and an actuator configured to engage the one or more flexible channels and rotate about a central axis. The actuator includes a plurality of rolling elements and a driving element configured such that the driving element operably rotates about the central axis and each rolling element operably rolls about a respective axis that is not parallel to the central axis. The plurality of rolling elements is disposed between the one or more flexible channels and the driving element. The driving element includes a cage configured to capture the plurality of rolling elements such that the plurality of rolling elements is located at different radii from a center of the cage.

Abstract: A method for managing virtual talk groups includes facilitating communications from a plurality of endpoints via an interoperability system. The plurality of endpoints comprises endpoints of different communication networks. The method includes configuring a virtual talk group comprising a first group of the plurality of endpoints and assigning to at least one endpoint of the first group of the plurality of endpoints of the virtual talk group functionality with respect to the interoperability system based on a relative priority of the at least one endpoint to other endpoints of the first group of the plurality of endpoints.

Abstract: Provided is a retroreflective article comprising a fibrous material and a perforated retroreflective material attached to said fibrous material. Embodiments of the article achieve desirable values under the ASTM F2731-11 Transmitted and Stored Energy Test, the E96/E96M-12 Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate Test, and ASTM E810-03 (2013) Standard Test Method for Coefficient of Retroreflection of Retroreflective Sheeting Utilizing the Coplanar Geometry.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes initiating a dynamic group call, detecting a call alert, and identifying a user system responsible for the call alert. The dynamic group call includes at least one original participant, and is initiated such that an ability to automatically add at least one new participant to the dynamic group call is enabled. Identifying the user system includes obtaining an indicator from the call alert. The indicator is associated with the user system. Finally, the method includes automatically adding the user system to the dynamic group call.

Abstract: A peristaltic micropump comprising one or more conduits configured to transfer one or more pumped fluids, wherein each conduit comprises: an inlet (106), an outlet (107), a central portion (102) between the inlet and the outlet, and an actuator (103, 105) configured to engage the central portions of the one or more conduits.

Abstract: A method for communicating media based on location of media source includes receiving communications from a plurality of endpoints. Each communication comprises a media message and location information identifying a location of its transmitting endpoint. The method includes receiving a selection of a geographical area and comparing the location information of each communication with the selected geographical area. The method also includes presenting to a user each message received from each endpoint of the plurality of endpoints located within the selected geographical area.

Abstract: Microstructured articles, such as a retroreflective articles, having a plurality of (e.g. cube-corner) microstructured elements and a seal film layer adhered to portions of the cube-corner elements and/or portions of a (e.g., flexible) body layer. The seal film is a thermoplastic polymeric material comprising reaction products of alkylene in an amount of at least about 50% and reaction products of at least one non-acidic polar monomer.

Abstract: A method for providing interoperable communications with dynamic event area allocation includes facilitating communications of a plurality of virtual talk groups, each virtual talk group including a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks communicating using a respective communication protocol. The method includes receiving notice of an event comprising an event location and creating an event area based on the event location. The method also includes associating an event virtual talk group with the event for communications regarding the event. The method also includes modifying the event area based on at least one location parameter associated with the event.

Abstract: A method for providing a push-to-talk proxy media service includes receiving a plurality of monitored push-to-talk communication streams over a high bandwidth connection and mixing the plurality of monitored push-to-talk communication streams into a mixed communication stream. The method also includes transmitting the mixed communication stream to a user endpoint over a low bandwidth connection.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes initiating a dynamic group call, detecting a call alert, and identifying a user system responsible for the call alert. The dynamic group call includes at least one original participant, and is initiated such that an ability to automatically add at least one new participant to the dynamic group call is enabled. Identifying the user system includes obtaining an indicator from the call alert. The indicator is associated with the user system. Finally, the method includes automatically adding the user system to the dynamic group call.

Abstract: A method for providing interoperable communications with congestion management includes facilitating communications of a plurality of virtual talk groups. Each virtual talk group comprises a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks communicating using a respective communication channel. The method includes detecting, for a first virtual talk group of the plurality of virtual talk groups, a congestion event and, in response to detecting the congestion event, forming from the first virtual talk group one or more subgroups, each subgroup comprising at least two endpoints from the first virtual talk group. The method also includes assigning to each subgroup a respective alternate communication protocol for use by the plurality of endpoints of the subgroup.

Abstract: A method for conveying media source location information includes receiving a first communication from a first endpoint and receiving location information indicating a first location of the first endpoint. The method also includes presenting the first communication to a user of a second endpoint in a manner to reflect the first location relative to a second location of the second endpoint.

Abstract: Providing virtual talk groups to an endpoint includes managing the virtual talk groups, where a virtual talk group comprises one or more members operable to participate in the virtual talk group. One or more overlapping members are identified, where an overlapping member is a member of more than one virtual talk group. Internal virtual talk groups are generated from the original virtual talk groups, where the internal virtual talk groups comprise at least a reduced number of overlapping members. One or more original virtual talk groups are provided to the endpoint using the internal virtual talk groups.

Abstract: A method for communicating media based on location of media source includes receiving communications from a plurality of endpoints. Each communication comprises a media message and location information identifying a location of its transmitting endpoint. The method includes receiving a selection of a geographical area and comparing the location information of each communication with the selected geographical area. The method also includes presenting to a user each message received from each endpoint of the plurality of endpoints located within the selected geographical area.

Abstract: A method for providing a push-to-talk communication session includes facilitating a push-to-talk communication session among a full duplex endpoint supporting simultaneous two-way communication and a plurality of half duplex endpoints. Communications are received from and transmitted to the full duplex endpoint along a two-way communications path. The method includes blocking communications received from the full duplex endpoint while one of the plurality of half duplex endpoints has floor control in the communication session and receiving from the full duplex endpoint in the two-way communications path a floor control signal comprising a request to transmit communications in the communication session. The method includes, in response to receiving the floor control signal, providing floor control to the full duplex endpoint and transmitting to the plurality of half duplex endpoints communications received from the full duplex endpoint.

Abstract: A method for communicating media based on location of media source includes receiving communications from a plurality of endpoints. Each communication comprises a media message and location information identifying a location of its transmitting endpoint. The method includes receiving a selection of a geographical area and comparing the location information of each communication with the selected geographical area. The method also includes presenting to a user each message received from each endpoint of the plurality of endpoints located within the selected geographical area.

Abstract: Microstructured articles, such as a retroreflective articles, having a plurality of (e.g. cube-corner) microstructured elements and a seal film layer adhered to portions of the cube-corner elements and/or portions of a (e.g., flexible) body layer. The seal film is a thermoplastic polymeric material comprising reaction products of alkylene in an amount of at least about 50% and reaction products of at least one non-acidic polar monomer.