Abstract: An article for use as part of a non-combustible aerosol provision system, the article including a housing having a first section and a second section which together form a reservoir for an aerosolizable material, the first section and the second section being connected together to provide at least one pair of opposing surfaces; wherein a capillary channel is provided between the opposing surfaces, and at least one of the opposing surfaces includes at least one surface feature for inhibiting or preventing capillary flow of an aerosolizable material from the reservoir through the capillary channel.

Abstract: A cartomizer for an aerosol-generating device, wherein the cartomizer has a top end and a bottom end which are spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the cartomizer, a vaporizer has a combined wicking and heating function, the vaporizer is elongate along a longitudinal axis and has a central portion and first and second end portions, and the vaporizer is positioned below a reservoir of the cartomizer and the end portions of the vaporizer sit flat on top of a lower support unit such that the longitudinal axis of the vaporizer is positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cartomizer.

Abstract: A cartomizer for an aerosol-generating device, the cartomizer including an aerosol-generating device interface configured to interface with an aerosol-generating device; and a vaporizer for generating aerosol from aerosol-generating material held in a reservoir of the cartomizer. The aerosol-generating device interface further includes one or more through holes, each through hole sized so as to receive a power-supply pin of the aerosol generating device, and the vaporizer is arranged in the cartridge such that the vaporizer is adjacent the one or more through holes so that, when the cartomizer is engaged with the aerosol-generating device, the respective power-supply pins of the aerosol-generating device electrically couple to the vaporizer. Also described is an aerosol-generating device including the abovementioned cartomizer.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, which comprises creating a stockholder table. The stockholder table created and maintained on a machine-readable medium. The method comprises automatically detecting registration for, and use of, a subscription service accessed via the Internet by a user. The method comprises, responsive to detected registration for, and use of, the subscription service, automatically changing the stockholder table to add the user as a shareholder of the subscription service.

Abstract: A system to manage a large-scale investment club with at least 1,000 members includes a module to receive investment actions from members; a module to make group investment decisions based on member voting; a module to track and store investment value of the investment club; a module to penalize members who are passive in managing club investments; and an interface for information retrieval, using a computing device, to display member benefits in the investment club.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for quantification of fluid loss from a nominally closed system using a pressure decay with mass point leak rate analysis methodology, which avoids the need for repetitive testing due to test configuration incompatibilities and allows for real time analysis and test control based upon desired results. The novel apparatus and methods of the present invention utilize a control system to maintain a desired pressure differential across the test article throughout the test by automatically raising or lowering the downstream pressure as the fluid leaks through the test article. In various embodiments, the apparatus and method of the present invention improves the efficiency of existing test methods by shortening otherwise long test durations, right-sizing the amount of data collected, providing quantifiable and controllable measurement uncertainty, reducing statistical variance, and eliminating post-process data analysis.

Abstract: A novel jacket garment worn by the driver of a tandem vehicle, such as a motorcycle, intended for rear passenger safety is disclosed. The novel garment comprises an outer shell, an inner lining, and an internal frame structure. The internal frame structure comprises a ribbing nexus comprising horizontal and vertical members. Novel features include handgrips disposed inside front pockets and connected to the internal frame structure. In some embodiments, the internal frame structure comprises elastic members. Pocket-borne handgrips may be attached to elastic members so that when engaged by a rear tandem passenger, the internal frame structure is tightened against the tandem vehicle driver's body to provide stain relief and additional stabilization of the jacket as a passenger safety device.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides an improved apparatus and method for quantification of fluid loss from a nominally closed system using a pressure decay with mass point leak rate analysis methodology, which avoids the need for repetitive testing due to test configuration incompatibilities and allows for real time analysis and test control based upon desired results. The novel apparatus and methods of the present invention utilize a control system to maintain a desired pressure differential across the test article throughout the test by automatically raising or lowering the downstream pressure as the fluid leaks through the test article. In various embodiments, the apparatus and method of the present invention improves the efficiency of existing test methods by shortening otherwise long test durations, right-sizing the amount of data collected, providing quantifiable and controllable measurement uncertainty, reducing statistical variance, and eliminating post-process data analysis.

Abstract: A sealing construct for a space environment includes a seal-bearing object, a seal on the seal-bearing object, and a seal-engaging object. The seal includes a seal body having a sealing surface, and a textured pattern at the sealing surface, the textured pattern defining at least one shaded channel surface. The seal-engaging object is selectively engaged with the seal-bearing object through the seal. The seal-engaging object has a sealing surface, wherein, when the seal-engaging object is selectively engaged with the seal-bearing object, the sealing surface of the seal-engaging object engages the sealing surface of the seal, and the seal is compressed between the seal-bearing object and the seal-engaging object such that at least one shaded channel surface engages the sealing surface of the seal-engaging object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of increased culture pH, relative to standard insect cell culture conditions, during baculovirus infection of lepidopteran insect cells to enable production of recombinant chikungunya (CHIKV) virus like particles (VLPs). The invention further relates to adapted insect cell lines derived from insect cells such as Sf21, which can grow robustly at elevated culture pH, the use of said cell lines to recombinantly produce pH sensitive proteins in the correct conformation and increase expression of recombinant proteins relative to standard insect cell lines. In some embodiments of the invention, the cells are useful for recombinant production of CHIKV VLPs. The invention also relates to a method for the production of a pH-adapted lepidopteran insect cell line. In some embodiments of said method, the cell line is produced and/or maintained in reduced phosphate serum-free insect cell media.

Abstract: A novel jacket garment worn by the driver of a tandem vehicle, such as a motorcycle, intended for rear passenger safety is disclosed. The novel garment comprises an outer shell, an inner lining, and an internal frame structure. The internal frame structure comprises a ribbing nexus comprising horizontal and vertical members. Novel features include handgrips disposed inside front pockets and connected to the internal frame structure. In some embodiments, the internal frame structure comprises elastic members. Pocket-borne handgrips may be attached to elastic members so that when engaged by a rear tandem passenger, the internal frame structure is tightened against the tandem vehicle driver's body to provide stain relief and additional stabilization of the jacket as a passenger safety device.

Abstract: A sealing construct for a space environment includes a seal-bearing object, a seal on the seal-bearing object, and a seal-engaging object. The seal includes a seal body having a sealing surface, and a textured pattern at the sealing surface, the textured pattern defining at least one shaded channel surface. The seal-engaging object is selectively engaged with the seal-bearing object through the seal. The seal-engaging object has a sealing surface, wherein, when the seal-engaging object is selectively engaged with the seal-bearing object, the sealing surface of the seal-engaging object engages the sealing surface of the seal, and the seal is compressed between the seal-bearing object and the seal-engaging object such that at least one shaded channel surface engages the sealing surface of the seal-engaging object.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses display a list configured to represent a plurality of virtual rooms; identify a selected participant device associated with a selected virtual room from the plurality of virtual rooms wherein the selected participant device is a member of the selected virtual room; selectively display content associated with the selected virtual room to the selected participant device; and notify the selected participant device of a change to the content associated with the selected virtual room.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses display a list configured to represent a plurality of virtual rooms; identify a selected participant device associated with a selected virtual room from the plurality of virtual rooms wherein the selected participant device is a member of the selected virtual room; selectively display content associated with the selected virtual room to the selected participant device; and notify the selected participant device of a change to the content associated with the selected virtual room.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a specially configured seal system which provides a barrier to gas leakage flow between a pressurized module and its external environment. The seal includes a shroud covering which protects the sealing interface from its environment when not in use, and retracts to expose the sealing interface when mated. The seal system is constructed and arranged to mate with a seal of identical construction and arrangement or to mate with a flat surface.

Abstract: A wind turbine with a hydraulic motor in the nacelle configured to provide constant rotation of a generator (6). A wind turbine is connected to a generator (6) through a rotor (1), clutches (3, 9), a geared transfer case (2), and a gearbox (7). When insufficient wind is present, an electrical control box (4) signals the clutches (3, 9) to disengage and signals a hydraulic motor (5) to engage thereby rotating a gearbox (7) and a generator (6). As a result, a wind turbine is created which can produce electrical power during either wind or no wind conditions.