Abstract: There is provided an electronic smoking device (10; 110; 210; 310) comprising a power supply (18), a liquid reservoir (34; 34; 234; 334) storing a liquid, and an atomizer (26). The atomizer (26) is adapted to atomize the liquid stored in the liquid reservoir (34; 34; 234; 334) when operated by the power supply (18). The liquid reservoir (34; 34; 234; 334) comprises a first chamber (40) storing the liquid, which first chamber (40) has a variable volume that is reducible and non-increasable.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a network controller and from a first node of a network, information associated with a data stream of the network and determining, by the network controller, a segmentation for the data stream. The segmentation includes a plurality of data segments and the plurality of data segments includes a first data segment. The method further includes determining, by the network controller, a data flow path for each of the plurality of data segments and determining, by the network controller, a first wavelength to assign to the first data segment. The first wavelength is one of a plurality of wavelengths spanning between the first node and a second node of the network.

Abstract: A method and a system for switching from a selected payment method of a plurality of payment methods associated with a consolidated payment device, into an installment loan, where a transaction has been finalized, are provided herein. The method may include obtaining, at a remote server, a transaction request, responsive to initiation by a holder of a consolidated payment device, wherein the transaction request indicates a first payment method of said plurality of payment methods; authorizing the transaction request, following a process that may include verifying sufficient funds on the first payment method; receiving, at said remote server, a reselection request indicating a second payment method which comprises an installment loan; and authorizing the transaction request with the second payment method and initiating a cancel and refund process for the transaction with the first payment method.

Abstract: A system includes a transmission bus and an encoding module. The encoding module is connected to the transmission bus. The encoding module includes a first encoding unit, a second encoding unit and a selection unit. The first encoding unit is configured to convert data into a first compressed data by adopting a compression configuration having variable compression ratios. The second encoding unit is configured to convert the data into a first compacted data by adopting a compaction configuration having a predetermined compaction ratio. The selection unit is connected to the first encoding unit and the second encoding unit and configured to select the first compressed data to be transmitted to the transmission bus if the first compressed data satisfy a target condition, and to select the first compacted data to be transmitted to the transmission bus if the first compressed data fail to satisfy the target condition.

Abstract: A system, an apparatus and a method for encoding data are provided. The method includes (a) receiving encoded data; (b) determining a type of encoding scheme of the encoded data; (c) if the encoded data is determined as a first type of encoding scheme, decompressing the encoded data; and (d) if the encoded data is determined as a second type of encoding scheme different from the first type of encoding scheme, decompacting the encoded data. The first type of encoding scheme has a variable compression ratio. The second type of encoding scheme has a predetermined compaction ratio.

Abstract: A liquid lens that includes a first window, a second window, and a cavity disposed between the first window and the second window; a first and second liquid disposed within the cavity, the first and second liquid substantially immiscible with each other and having different refractive indices such that an interface between the first and second liquid defines a variable lens, at least a portion of the first liquid disposed within a first portion of the cavity, the second liquid disposed within a second portion of the cavity; a common electrode in electrical communication with the first liquid; and a driving electrode disposed on a sidewall of the cavity and insulated from the first liquid and the second liquid by an insulating element, wherein the insulating element comprises an insulating outer layer in contact with the liquids, the insulating outer layer comprising a lanthanide series oxide.

Abstract: A system and method providing for communication and resolution of utility functions between participants, wherein the utility function is evaluated based on local information at the recipient to determine a cost value thereof. A user interface having express representation of both information elements, and associated reliability of the information. An automated system for optimally conveying information based on relevance and reliability.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, an antenna system includes a dielectric antenna having a feed point, wherein the dielectric antenna is a single antenna. At least one cable having a plurality of conductorless dielectric cores is coupled to the feed point of the dielectric antenna, wherein electromagnetic waves that are guided by differing ones of the plurality of conductorless dielectric cores to the dielectric antenna result in differing ones of a plurality of antenna beam patterns.

Abstract: The invention discloses a device for filling an electric cigarette, more specifically for filling a consumable-material tank of an electric cigarette wherein the device has a first tank for accommodating a consumable material and a second tank for accommodating air, wherein the device is designed such that the volumes of the tanks can be altered inversely by means of an actuating device, and therefore a pressing action and an intake action can be established at connections of the tanks. By virtue of the device being connected to a consumable-material tank of an electric cigarette, it is thus possible, while the consumable-material tank is being filled with consumable material, for the air displaced by the consumable material to be simultaneously extracted from the electric cigarette.

Abstract: A cam phaser for an internal combustion engine, the cam phaser including a stator including vane cells; a rotor configured rotatable relative to the stator and including vanes arranged in the vane cells of the stator, wherein the vanes respectively divide the vane cells into advance chambers and retard chambers; a control valve configured to move the rotor at least between an advance position and a retard position, wherein the control valve includes a hollow piston that is axially movable within a piston channel, a pressure medium connection, a tank connection and at least four operating connections including at least one advance connection and at least one retard connection, wherein each of the vane cells includes an advance chamber that is connected to the control valve through the at least one advance connection and a retard chamber connected to the control valve through the at least one retard connection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tropoelastin-derived polypeptide and an elastic composite biocompatible material comprising the polypeptide. The object of the invention is also a method for the synthesis of such a biocompatible material, a cell culture support comprising such a biocompatible material and the use of this material, in particular in the biological and medical field, in particular for cell culture and tissue regeneration.

Abstract: Compounds for treatment of diseases having acidic or hypoxic diseased tissues and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, as well as methods for making and using the compounds and compositions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of Form A of 3-[5-amino-4-(3-cyanobenzoyl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-cyclopropyl-4-methylbenzamide. Also disclosed herein is Form A of 3-[5-amino-4-(3-cyanobenzoyl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-cyclopropyl-4-methylbenzamide, or pharmaceutical compositions thereof, obtainable by the process described herein.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette includes an atomizer having a coil-less heating element. The coil-less heating element may include a heating section and two leads electrically connected to the heating section. The heating section is made of one or more fiber materials. The two leads may be made of conductive materials that can conduct liquid to the heating section. Alternatively, the heating element may include one or more fiber materials with two conductive sections, and a heating section between the conductive sections. The heating section has a significantly higher electrical resistance than the conductive sections. The different electrical resistances may be achieved by modifying the fiber materials with a material (e.g. metals) having higher electronic conductivity. Different electrical resistances may also be achieved by modifying the shape of the fiber materials to provide the conductive sections with a larger cross-section, and the heating section with a smaller cross-section.

Abstract: A picture coding method provides coding an input picture. The method includes dividing the input picture into a plurality of blocks, coding the input picture on a block basis to obtain coded data of each block, and decoding the coded data of each block on a block basis to obtain a reconstructed picture having a plurality of blocks. The method also includes removing coding distortion in an area disposed on both sides of a block boundary between a first block and an adjacent second block in the reconstructed picture having the plurality of blocks. Each block is adaptively decoded either as a field structure block, including only even field pixels or only odd field pixels, or a frame structure block, including odd field pixels and even field pixels. The method further includes storing the reconstructed picture, for which coding distortion is removed, as a reference picture.

Abstract: A redox flow battery (1) including: a battery cell (10) including a positive electrode (11), a negative electrode (12), and an ion exchange membrane (13); a positive electrode-side electrolyte tank (20); a negative electrode-side electrolyte tank (30); a positive electrode-side pipe connecting the battery cell (10) to the positive electrode-side electrolyte tank (20); and a negative electrode-side pipe connecting the battery cell (10) to the negative electrode-side electrolyte tank (30). The redox flow battery (1) performs charge and discharge by circulating respective electrolytes between the battery cell (10) and the positive electrode-side electrolyte tank (20) through the positive electrode-side pipe (21, 22) and between the battery cell (10) and the negative electrode-side electrolyte tank (30) through the negative electrode-side pipe (31, 32). A hydrogen oxidation catalyst (40) is provided adjacent to an inner surface of the negative electrode-side pipe (31, 32).

Abstract: A hydraulic solenoid valve including a first port, a second port, a third port, a housing having at least one land between the first port and the second port, the at least one land including at least one balancing groove, and a spool that moves within the housing. The first port has a pressure higher pressure than a pressure of the second port, and the at least one centering groove is in communication with the third port. A flow of hydraulic fluid from the first port to the third port helps remove contamination from the at least one balancing groove and/or a flow of hydraulic fluid from the third port to the second port helps remove contamination from the at least one balancing groove.

Abstract: An electronic smoking device (210, 310, 410) has two portions (12, 13) wherein one of the portions (12, 13) comprises a cavity (240, 340, 440) for a liquid reservoir (234, 334, 434). The portions (12, 13) can be moved with respect to each other, by a movement and a respective counter movement, at least between an insertion configuration and a closed cavity configuration. In the insertion configuration a liquid reservoir (234, 334, 434) can be inserted into the cavity (340, 440). In a closed cavity configuration, the cavity (240, 340, 440) is closed by the other portion and a liquid reservoir opening element (70) of said one or the other portion opens the housed liquid reservoir (234, 334, 434).

Abstract: A vane type cam phaser for an internal combustion engine, the vane type cam phaser including a stator and a rotor that is rotatable relative to the stator to adjust a phase angle of a camshaft; a spring element configured to align the rotor with the stator in an idle position; a spring adapter that is arranged between the spring element and the rotor and an axial fixing device that fixes the spring adapter at the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous or hydro-alcoholic suspension of chitosan, dispersed cellulose nanofibers, and an acid, which is suitable for obtaining a hydrogel composite comprising a network of chitosan and cellulose nanofibers. The suspension of the invention is useful for tissue regeneration and the hydrogel of the invention is useful as bioresorbable and biocompatible implant.