Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a rod member for a cigarette filter element. Each rod member defines a longitudinal axis and includes a generally longitudinally-extending filter material and a plurality of objects disposed therein along the longitudinal axis. Such an apparatus comprises a rod-forming unit configured to form a continuous supply of a filter material into a continuous cylindrical rod member. An object insertion unit is configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the rod member. A rod-dividing unit is configured to divide the rod member into a plurality of rod portions such that each rod portion includes a plurality of the objects. Associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a recombinant human Parainfluenza Virus (hPIV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the hPIV F ectodomain trimer and methods of producing the hPIV F ectodomain trimer. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for treating or inhibiting a hPIV infection in a subject by administering a effective amount of the recombinant hPIV F ectodomain trimer to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof having binding specificity for PACAP. The antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof comprise the sequences of the VH, VL, and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them. Antibodies and antigen binding fragments described herein bind to and/or compete for binding to the same linear or conformational epitope(s) on human PACAP as an anti-PACAP antibody. The invention contemplates conjugates of anti-PACAP antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties. Methods of making said anti-PACAP antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof are also contemplated.

Abstract: An intermediate container for a refuse vehicle where the container is positioned in front of the refuse vehicle is provided. A plurality of legs extends from the container toward the refuse vehicle. An attachment mechanism is on each leg to secure the legs to a front loading arm assembly of the refuse vehicle.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods and apparatus for firearm safety mechanisms, visual safety indicators, and related techniques. A firearm includes a handle comprising one or more buttons disposed at least partially within a surface of the handle, such that the one or more buttons can be in contact with an operator's hand when the operator grasps the handle; a safety mechanism in mechanical communication with the trigger. The safety mechanism comprises: a first position that blocks actuation of the trigger; and a second position that does not block actuation of the trigger; and at least one processor configured to: upon determining an input code matches a stored code, transmits a signal to the safety mechanism to change the safety mechanism from the first position to the second position so that the firearm can be fired by the operator.

Abstract: A charge coupler with integrated electrical and mechanical disconnect switching can include a first member. A charging coupler can include a first member and a second member. The second member can be coupled at a first end with the first member. A charging coupler can include a first switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a movement of the second member to a first angle with the first member that engages the first switch, a charging device to electrically decouple the charging device from a vehicle. A charging coupler can include a second switch disposed at the first member and operable to cause, in response to a movement of the second member to a second angle with the first member that engages the second switch, the charging device to mechanically decouple the charging device from the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a storage system, encrypted data and a set of key identifiers. Each key identifier is associated with information specifying a storage location for which the key identifier is authorized. The method also includes storing, by the storage system, the encrypted data in at least one storage location and receiving, by the storage system, at least one key identifier of the set of key identifiers with a data access request. The method includes determining, by the storage system, whether the data access request is authorized for the at least one key identifier.

Abstract: A multi-beam communication system uses an array of antenna assemblies, and RF elements, to provide two or more sets of multiple beams, where each individual set of beams can be considered a beam state. An antenna assembly has a first set of RF elements oriented to produce a first beam state, and a second set of RF elements oriented to produce a second beam state. Each set of RF elements comprise a set of output sectors, where a controller is configured to selectively activate a beam state.

Abstract: A scrubbing solution for removing contaminants, including particularly hydrogen sulfide, from a fluid. The scrubbing solution includes at least one scrubbing reagent which has a primary or secondary amine and an acid, which may be phosphoric acid. The fluid being scrubbed is passed through the scrubbing solution. The contaminants react with the scrubbing reagent securing them in the scrubbing solution. The fluid being scrubbed and the scrubbing solution are then separated. The scrubbing solution is heated and, if the scrubbing solution is under pressure, the pressure is reduced. The acid facilitates thorough removal of the contaminants, and especially the hydrogen sulfide, from the scrubbing solution. The scrubbing solution is then ready for reuse. Because the scrubbing solution is rendered substantially free of hydrogen sulfides, it can absorb other sulfide contaminants that might not otherwise be absorbed.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for key in lockbox encrypted data deduplication are provided. The method collects a set of deduplication information by a host in communication with a storage system via a communications network. A fingerprint is generated for a data chunk to be stored on a storage system. The method encrypts the data chunk using a first encryption key to generate an encrypted data chunk. The fingerprint is encrypted with a second encryption key to generate an encrypted fingerprint. The method encrypts the first encryption key with a third encryption key to generate a first encrypted key. The method encrypts the first encryption key with a fourth encryption key to generate a second encryption key. A data package is generated for transmission to the storage system. The method transmits the data package to the storage system.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to providing data views from a time-series data lake to a data warehousing system. In various embodiments, the disclosed techniques include providing, by a cloud-based service, a data lake service that maintains a time-series data lake storing a time-series representation of data from a plurality of data sources associated with a first organization. In some embodiments, the cloud-based service may receive additional backup data, including a first backup image of a first data source, associated with the first organization as part of a backup operation. The cloud-based service may then store a logical backup of the first data source in the data lake and, in response to a query from a data warehousing system, the cloud-based service may retrieve a particular view of the backup data from the data lake and provide it to the data warehousing system.

Abstract: A lift system comprises a rail and a carriage assembly comprising a seat or platform for supporting a person to be conveyed along the rail, drive means arranged to engage the rail and controllable to drive the carriage assembly along the rail, energy storage means arranged to power the drive means, input means operable by a user to provide an input signal indicative of a desired movement of the carriage assembly along the rail, and control means arranged to receive the input signal and control the drive means in response to the input signal. The system includes charging means arranged to charge the energy storage means when the carriage assembly is at a first charging position on the rail.

Abstract: An AC motor, and method of operation, including a synchronous motor with a magnetic rotor, and a stator positioned at a fixed distance from the magnetic rotor. A no-back mechanism is configured to oscillate when the synchronous motor is rotating in a desired direction, and the no-back component is configured to move to a stopping position when the synchronous motor is rotating in an undesired direction.

Abstract: Described herein are photopolymerizable compositions for use in 3D printing. The compositions contain dipropylene glycol diacrylate and one or more urethane acrylate oligomers, optionally with a photoinitiator. Also described are methods for fabricating three dimensional objects utilizing these compositions, and three dimensional objects made from these compositions.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to the storage of backup data using a time-series data lake. For example, in various embodiments, the disclosed techniques include providing a cloud-based data lake service that maintains data for a plurality of organizations and where, for a first organization, the cloud-based data lake service maintains a time-series data lake that stores a time-series representation of data associated with the first organization. In various embodiments, the data lake service may receive backup data from a plurality of data sources associated with the first organization, generate metadata associated with the backup data, and store the backup data, along with the corresponding metadata, in the time-series data lake.

Abstract: A transient multi-tone test signal is generated to detect piano noise distortion played back by a speaker. The test signal has a number, such as three, formant tones resembling a piano chord and selectable such that the frequencies and harmonics remain distributed in frequency. The test signal provides a basis for defining normal speaker operating performance and allows a user to define speaker responses that fall outside of normal boundaries by highlighting piano noise distortion detected during speaker playback of the test signal.

Abstract: Cell based therapy comprises administration to the lung by injection into the blood system of viable, mammalian cells effective for alleviating or inhibiting pulmonary disorders. The cells may express a therapeutic transgene or the cells may be therapeutic in their own right by inducing regenerative effects.

Abstract: An animal washing system includes an enclosure structure forming an interior volume. An animal is to be located at least partially in the interior volume. The animal washing system further includes spray devices and valves. The spray devices are configured to wash the animal. Each valve is configured to selectively provide fluid to a corresponding spray device to wash the animal. The animal washing system further includes a controller configured to selectively actuate each valve to wash the animal.

Abstract: A method for processing network data, comprising receiving a data packet at a first processor having a non-transient data memory, storing the data packet in the non-transient data memory, accessing one or more first data fields of the data packet in the data memory, determining whether a device is bandwidth limited as a function of the first data fields being associated with an application, transmitting the data packet to a second processor over a network if it is determined that the device is not bandwidth limited, determining whether the device has reached a limit if it is determined that the device is bandwidth limited, transmitting the data packet to the second processor over the network if it is determined that the limit has not been reached and deleting the data packet without transmitting the data packet if it is determined that the limit has been reached.

Abstract: A system includes an authenticated encryption layer comprising logic configured to encrypt data received at the authenticated encryption layer from an authorized application at a source node. The data is encrypted using a first key to obtain first encrypted data. The logic is configured to encrypt the first encrypted data using a second key to obtain second encrypted data and generate a watermark for the first encrypted data and/or a watermark for the second encrypted data. The logic is configured to generate a watermark token for the first encrypted data and/or a watermark token for the second encrypted data.