Abstract: Exemplary embodiments pertain to a solution containing carbon black. The solution may be applied to a membrane filter of a microbial enumeration system as a post-rinse solution (i.e., after the membrane filter is rinsed with the sample of interest). The solution may reduce or suppress background autofluorescence, thereby improving detection and enumeration of colony forming units (CFUs) or other microbiological entities. The solution may be used in connection with a method for performing sample preparation for a microbial enumeration system. The carbon black solution may be manufactured according to a manufacturing process detailed herein.

Abstract: Described herein is an animal kill trap. More specifically, an improved animal trap configured for trapping and humanely killing small mammalian predators. The trap comprises an integrated enclosure which utilizes the lid for setting the trap mechanism, and additionally acts as a safety mechanism wherein when the lid is the open position, the trap is deactivated and thus avoiding any harm to the user. The trap comprises a tunnel architecture which is appealing to the predators, and additionally has a capture flag to indicate when a predator has been captured.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an illumination assembly. The illumination assembly includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a two-dimensional array. The light sources are positioned within the array to provide overlapping illumination fields. The plurality of light sources provide illumination within a UV-A spectrum of wavelengths to thereby provide photocleaving within a fluid containment assembly.

Abstract: A sealant smoothing tool for smoothing sealant in a gap between two aircraft parts is disclosed including a main body having a base surface for abutting sliding along a top surface of the aircraft parts, a spatula holder for holding a spatula, the spatula holder being configured to movably mount the spatula relative to the main body, and a resilient biasing member, configured to provide a biasing against the spatula or the spatula holder, such that the spatula supplies a biasing force to the sealant. An aircraft having two parts sealed by the sealant smoothing tool, a kit of parts including a sealant smoothing tool and one or more spatulas, and a method of smoothing sealant to seal a gap between two aircraft parts are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol forming article comprising an aerosol forming article comprising a cavity for receiving an aerosol former, an infrared heater in thermal communication with the cavity, where the infrared heater comprises at least one heating element in a halogen-filled enclosure and where the enclosure at least partly circumscribes the cavity. There is also provided an aerosol delivery article comprising: a cavity for receiving an aerosol former, the cavity having a perimeter, and an IR heater comprising at least one heating element for heating the aerosol former. A major portion of the perimeter of the cavity faces away from the heating element(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic smoking device (100) with an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion (114) and to an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion (114). In order to facilitate refilling a liquid reservoir (134) of the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion (114), the atomizer/liquid reservoir portion (114) comprises a docking valve (146) for docking a source of liquid (148) to be stored in the liquid reservoir (134), and a liquid duct (156) that is adapted to receive liquid (172) from the docking valve (146) and that opens into the refillable liquid reservoir (134) at a predetermined distance (A) to the docking valve (146).

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques that enable a carrier aggregation of two or more carrier available carriers for uplink transmissions at a base station node. More specifically, a carrier aggregation controller may receive a resource allocation request from a base station node that is associated with an uplink transmission of user plane data from a client device. The carrier aggregation controller may determine a carrier aggregation for the uplink transmission and generate scheduling information for delivery to the base station node that is based at least in part on the carrier aggregation.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises a machine body which encloses a turbofan gas turbine engine. The turbofan gas turbine engine includes a heat exchanger module, fan assembly, compressor module, turbine module, and exhaust module. The heat exchanger module communicates with the fan assembly by an inlet duct. The heat exchanger module includes first heat transfer elements that transfer heat energy from a first fluid within the transfer elements to an airflow passing over a surface of the transfer elements before entry of the airflow into a fan assembly inlet. The first fluid contained within transfer elements has a temperature, and the airflow passing over the transfer element surface has a temperature. The turbofan gas turbine engine further includes at least one second heat transfer element, with the or each second heat transfer element transfers heat energy from the first fluid to a second fluid.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an aircraft includes a first gas turbine engine, one or more first electric machines, first thermal bus and heat exchanger. The first thermal bus includes a first heat transfer fluid in a closed loop flow sequence, between the first gas turbine engine, or each first electric machine, and the first heat exchanger. Waste heat energy transfers to the first heat transfer fluid. The first heat exchanger configures to transfer waste heat energy from the first heat transfer fluid to a dissipation medium. During steady-state operation of the first gas turbine engine, the first heat transfer fluid entering the first heat exchanger has a temperature of TFLUID(° C.), and a temperature of an inlet air flow entering the first gas turbine engine has a temperature TAIR(° C.) and a ratio B is in a range of between 5.0-18.0.

Abstract: The described features generally relate to improved methods, systems, and devices for techniques for lead information sharing. A device may transmit a first message indicating a person (i.e., a lead) identified by a setting representative. The first message may include one or more scores of the person, the setting representative, or both. The device may receive a second message indicating a request for information of the person. The second message may include a score of a closing representative. The device may identify that the closing representative is selected for sending the information of the person. The device may transmit a third message indicating that the closing representative is selected. The third message may include the information of the person.

Abstract: A method of heat welding a length of pipe with a coupling is disclosed. The coupling and the length of pipe are of a thermoplastic material. The method includes preparing a first end of the length of pipe; preparing a first groove of the coupling, wherein the first groove is configured to mechanically interface to an inner diameter (ID) and outer diameter (OD) of the length of pipe; heating the first and the first groove to a weldable temperature; joining the first end to the first groove; and permitting the first end and the first groove to cool sufficiently long to form a thermoplastic weld.

Abstract: A method of a bridge network device manager can include performing a first query on a device of a network of operational technology devices; gathering first feature information of the device based on the first query; generating a first instance of a device record that includes the first feature information; selecting a second query based on the first instance of the device record, the second query selected from a query set for features of operational technology devices operating in a particular physical domain; performing the second query on the device; gathering second feature information of the device based on the second query; updating the device record based on the second feature information to generate an updated device record; and predicting a type of the device based on the updated device record. Additional queries can be performed to predict the device record.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques, systems, and methods for remote, agent-less enterprise computer threat data collection, malicious threat analysis, and identification and reporting of potential and real threats present on an enterprise computer system. Specifically, embodiments are directed to a system that securely identifies and maps sensitive information from computers across the enterprise. Secure and sensitive information may be internally encrypted and analyzed for indicators of compromise, threatening behavior, and known vulnerabilities. The remote, agent-less collection, analysis, and identification process can be repeated periodically to detect and map additional sensitive information over time, and may delete itself after completion to avoid detection.

Abstract: A cable spooling apparatus for use with a storage drum for spooling and storing cable. The cable spooling apparatus comprises a tensioning unit for adjusting the tension of a cable as it is being spooled onto the storage drum. The tensioning unit traverses a path between the opposite ends of the storage drum. Methods of spooling and unspooling cable using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drain device for a screen enclosure having deck sill track portions, where two adjacent deck sill track portions form a pair of deck sill track portions. The device includes a U-shaped body having a first side, a second side, and a top surface extending between the first side and the second side. The body includes a screen attaching side and an opening that forms a drain port under the top surface and between the first side and the second side. The device includes concealed fasteners that couple the U-shaped body between and to the pair of deck sill track portions and so that the top surface of the U-shaped body is flush with a top surface of each deck sill track portion of the pair of deck sill track portions. A screen enclosure system is provided that includes multiple drain devices.

Abstract: There is disclosed an aerosol delivery system comprising: an aerosol-generating device (12) comprising: —a device housing having an open-ended heating chamber configured to receive a carrier cartridge (14); —a heater element (24) disposed within the heating chamber (22) and configured to receive at least a first end of a carrier cartridge (14), said heating element operable to heat a carrier substrate of a carrier unit of said carrier cartridge (14) to cause release of an aerosol-forming precursor therefrom to generate an aerosol when gas is passed through the carrier cartridge (14); and—a carrier cartridge comprising a carrier unit (34), said carrier unit comprising a carrier substrate configured to hold an aerosol-forming precursor comprising a nicotine-containing and/or flavoured fluid, gel, wax, or powder. Also disclosed are a carrier cartridge (14), carrier unit (34), methods of manufacturing one or more components of said system, and a kit-of-parts for assembling the system.

Abstract: Described herein is an animal kill trap. More specifically, an improved animal trap configured for trapping and humanely killing small mammalian predators. The trap comprises an integrated enclosure which utilises the lid for setting the trap mechanism, and additionally acts as a safety mechanism wherein when the lid is the open position, the trap is deactivated and thus avoiding any harm to the user. The trap comprises a tunnel architecture which is appealing to the predators, and additionally has a capture flag to indicate when a predator has been captured.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing reduced or zero added sodium expandable snack food pellets by controlling the manufacturing conditions to control the expansion ratio of the pellets. Methods for manufacturing reduced or zero added sodium expanded snack food by controlling the manufacturing conditions to control the bulk density of the resulting expanded snack food. Reduced or zero added sodium expandable snack food pellets having specific expansion ratio and/or glass transition temperature, and reduced or zero added sodium expanded snack food products prepared from the pellets. Reduced or zero added sodium expanded snack food having specific bulk density.

Abstract: A vapour delivery apparatus is configured to deliver a vapour comprising an active ingredient to a user drawing air through the apparatus for inhalation. The apparatus comprises an air passage defined between an air inlet and an outlet, and a vapour generator arranged in the air passage. The vapour generator comprises a substrate loaded with a source of an active ingredient for generation of the vapour. The vapour generator also comprises a constricted air flow region adapted to provide a higher air flow velocity in the constricted air flow region than an air flow velocity in the air passage upstream of the vapour generator for a given air flow rate from the air inlet to the outlet. The constricted air flow region is bounded on at least one side by the substrate to extract vapour from the substrate into the air flow in the constricted air flow region. There is also provided a method of using a vapour delivery apparatus.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques that enable a carrier aggregation of two or more carrier available carriers for uplink transmissions at a base station node. More specifically, a carrier aggregation controller may receive a resource allocation request from a base station node that is associated with an uplink transmission of user plane data from a client device. The carrier aggregation controller may determine a carrier aggregation for the uplink transmission and generate scheduling information for delivery to the base station node that is based at least in part on the carrier aggregation.