Abstract: Pistols have a body having a grip, the grip defining a magazine passage adapted to receive a magazine, the grip having opposed left and right side walls and a front portion and an opposed rear portion, the front portion of the grip including a first front strap attachment facility, a front strap element having a second front strap attachment facility adapted to removably connect to the first front strap attachment facility, and the front portion of the grip defining a front path and the front strap element being an elongated element movable along the front path, such that the front strap element is removable for replacement by an alternate front strap element. A funnel element may be adapted for connection to the frame at a lower rim of the grip at an installed position.

Abstract: Pistols have a body having a grip, the grip defining an elongated magazine passage adapted to receive a magazine and defining a magazine axis, the grip having opposed left and right side walls and a front portion and an opposed rear portion, the body having an upper portion having a first linear interface element aligned with an attachment axis offset from the magazine axis, and a removable backstrap element adapted to overlay the rear portion of the grip and having a second linear interface element adapted to removably connect to the first linear interface element. The pistol frame may include slide rails defining a slide plane, and the first linear interface element may be parallel to the slide plane. The first linear interface element and the second linear interface element may comprise a sliding interface. The sliding interface may be a dovetail feature.

Abstract: A method of strengthening a silica soot compact is provided. The method includes forming a mixture of silica soot particles and nanoparticles, and forming a silica soot compact from the mixture.

Abstract: Headgear for a respiratory mask includes a strap arrangement including front strap portions adapted to be disposed over a patient's cheeks and having front ends adapted for attachment to an airway interfacing portion, top strap portions connected to respective front strap portions and adapted to be disposed over the top of a patient's head and to connect to each other, and a back strap extending rearwardly from and connecting respective junctions of the front strap portions and top strap portions or regions adjacent these junctions and adapted to locate underneath a patient's occiput. In use with a patient having long hair, the back strap is adapted to extend under the patient's hair and urge upwardly on the patient's hair and against the patient's head beneath the occiput. In use with a patient having short hair, the back strap is adapted to urge against the patient's head beneath the occiput. In an embodiment, front strap portions of the headgear may be provided with a sleeve or cover (e.g.

Abstract: A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a nasal prong assembly including a pair of nasal prongs structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use and headgear to maintain the nasal prong assembly in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear includes side straps and rigidizers provided to respective side straps. Each rigidizer includes a first end portion that provides a connector structured to engage a respective end of the nasal prong assembly and an inwardly curved protrusion in the form of a cheek support that curves inwardly of the connector. The cheek support is adapted to follow the contour of the patient's cheek and guide a respective end portion of the side strap into engagement with the patient's cheek to provide a stable cheek support.

Abstract: A mask system for delivery of respiratory therapy to a patient includes a nares portion and a mouth portion and an inlet conduit connected to at least one of the nares portion and the mouth portion to deliver the pressurized, breathable gas. The mask system is adapted to selectively utilize the nares portion and/or the mouth portion in a first mode utilizing both the nares portion and the mouth portion, and in a second mode utilizing the nares portion and not utilizing the mouth portion.

Abstract: A method and system for secure storage of digital data offers enhanced resistance to threat actors (whether insiders or hackers) gaining unauthorised access to extract and manipulate data, and to brute force computational attacks. The method employs double randomised fragmentation of source data into a random number of fragments of random sizes, encryption of each fragment with a separate encryption key, storage of the encrypted fragments and keys and a catalogue of the mappings of locations and fragments to keys all in physically and logically separate locations in a secure storage estate (1). The method may be repeatedly applied to encrypted fragments, keys and catalogue in a cascade fragmentation process to add further levels of security.

Abstract: The present teachings describe a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes a first plate and a second plate stacked together. The printhead assembly includes a first adhesive between the first plate and the second plate for bonding the plates together. The printhead assembly includes a second adhesive surrounding an outer edge of the first adhesive wherein the second adhesive has an oxygen migration rate lower than an oxygen migration rate of the first adhesive. An oxygen sensitive component is contained within the outer edge of the first adhesive.

Abstract: A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a nasal prong assembly including a pair of nasal prongs structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use and headgear to maintain the nasal prong assembly in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear includes side straps and rigidizers provided to respective side straps. Each rigidizer includes a first end portion that provides a connector structured to engage a respective end of the nasal prong assembly and an inwardly curved protrusion in the form of a cheek support that curves inwardly of the connector. The cheek support is adapted to follow the contour of the patient's cheek and guide a respective end portion of the side strap into engagement with the patient's cheek to provide a stable cheek support.

Abstract: A beverage-retaining insert is used to retain and orient a smaller beverage container, including but not limited to a soda can or beer bottle, within a larger beverage container, including but not limited to a tumbler, thermos, or travel mug. The larger beverage container is herein referred to as the tumbler. The apparatus is also configured to prevent damage and unwanted shifting or movement of the bottle or can relative to the tumbler. The apparatus includes a retaining lip, a tubular brace, a tubular cushion, and a sealing mechanism. The retaining lip positions the apparatus atop a tumbler. The tubular brace enables arrangement of the apparatus within a tumbler. The tubular cushion provides support for a beverage container. The sealing mechanism retains the position of the present invention against the inside of a tumbler. Thus, the apparatus efficiently and effectively retrofits a tumbler to enable support of a beverage container.

Abstract: A patient interface is configured to deliver a flow of pressurized breathable gas to a patient's airways. The patient interface includes a central portion with an opening configured to deliver the pressurized breathable gas to the patient's nares. A first stabilizing portion extends from the central portion and is structured to engage an outer side of a respective one of the patient's nostrils. A second stabilizing portion is opposite the first stabilizing portion and extends from the central portion. In addition, the second stabilizing surface is structured to engage an outer side of a respective one of the patient's nostrils. The central portion, the first stabilizing portion and the second stabilizing portion cooperate to form a U-shape configured to cradle the patient's nose so that the tip of the patient's nose remains exposed when the patient interface is mounted on the patient's face.

Abstract: A beverage-retaining insert is used to retain and orient a smaller beverage container, including but not limited to a soda can or beer bottle, within a larger beverage container, including but not limited to a tumbler, thermos, or travel mug. The larger beverage container is herein referred to as the tumbler. The apparatus is also configured to prevent damage and unwanted shifting or movement of the bottle or can relative to the tumbler. The apparatus includes a retaining lip, a tubular brace, a tubular cushion, and a sealing mechanism. The retaining lip positions the apparatus atop a tumbler. The tubular brace enables arrangement of the apparatus within a tumbler. The tubular cushion provides support for a beverage container. The sealing mechanism retains the position of the present invention against the inside of a tumbler. Thus, the apparatus efficiently and effectively retrofits a tumbler to enable support of a beverage container.

Abstract: A patient interface is configured to deliver a flow of pressurized breathable gas to a patient's airways. The patient interface includes a central portion with an opening configured to deliver the pressurized breathable gas to the patient's nares. A first stabilizing portion extends from the central portion and is structured to engage an outer side of a respective one of the patient's nostrils. A second stabilizing portion is opposite the first stabilizing portion and extends from the central portion. In addition, the second stabilizing surface is structured to engage an outer side of a respective one of the patient's nostrils. The central portion, the first stabilizing portion and the second stabilizing portion cooperate to form a U-shape configured to cradle the patient's nose so that the tip of the patient's nose remains exposed when the patient interface is mounted on the patient's face.

Abstract: Headgear for a respiratory mask includes a strap arrangement including front strap portions adapted to be disposed over a patient's cheeks and having front ends adapted for attachment to an airway interfacing portion, top strap portions connected to respective front strap portions and adapted to be disposed over the top of a patient's head and to connect to each other, and a back strap extending rearwardly from and connecting respective junctions of the front strap portions and top strap portions or regions adjacent these junctions and adapted to locate underneath a patient's occiput. In use with a patient having long hair, the back strap is adapted to extend under the patient's hair and urge upwardly on the patient's hair and against the patient's head beneath the occiput. In use with a patient having short hair, the back strap is adapted to urge against the patient's head beneath the occiput. In an embodiment, front strap portions of the headgear may be provided with a sleeve or cover (e.g.

Abstract: A decocking safety lever for use with an external hammer shotgun includes a safety rod selectively positionable between a safe position wherein squeezing of the trigger is prevented; a fire position wherein squeezing of the trigger fires a shotgun shell; and a decocked positioned wherein the hammer is positioned in a decocked position and unable to fire the shotgun shell.

Abstract: A mask system for delivery of respiratory therapy to a patient includes a nares portion and a mouth portion and an inlet conduit connected to at least one of the nares portion and the mouth portion to deliver the pressurized, breathable gas. The mask system is adapted to selectively utilize the nares portion and/or the mouth portion in a first mode utilizing both the nares portion and the mouth portion, and in a second mode utilizing the nares portion and not utilizing the mouth portion.

Abstract: Pistols have a body having a grip, the body having a trigger guard, the body having an upper slide interface surface defining a slide interface plane, the body having a first mounting facility at a forward end below the slide interface plane and at a level above at least a portion of the trigger guard, a dust cover having a rear end having a second mounting facility adapted to removably dock with the first mounting facility in an attached position, the dust cover defining an upper surface in the slide interface plane when the dust cover is in the attached position, and the first mounting facility and second mounting facility comprising a sliding interface. The sliding interface may be a dovetail feature.

Abstract: A mask system includes a frame (20) adapted to attach headgear, a sealing arrangement (40) releasably connectable to the frame, and an elbow (70) provided to the sealing arrangement and adapted to be connected to an air delivery tube that delivers breathable gas to the patient. The sealing arrangement defines a breathing chamber and is adapted to form a seal with the patient's face. The sealing arrangement includes structure (50) to establish a positive connection with the frame and with the elbow.

Abstract: The present teachings describe a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes a first plate and a second plate stacked together. The printhead assembly includes a first adhesive between the first plate and the second plate for bonding the plates together. The printhead assembly includes a second adhesive surrounding an outer edge of the first adhesive wherein the second adhesive has an oxygen migration rate lower than an oxygen migration rate of the first adhesive. An oxygen sensitive component is contained within the outer edge of the first adhesive.

Abstract: The present teachings describe a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes a first plate and a second plate stacked together. The printhead assembly includes a first adhesive between the first plate and the second plate for bonding the plates together. The printhead assembly includes a second adhesive surrounding an outer edge of the first adhesive wherein the second adhesive has an oxygen migration rate lower than an oxygen migration rate of the first adhesive. An oxygen sensitive component is contained within the outer edge of the first adhesive.