Abstract: A multi-tune filter system and a control system for operating the multi-tune filter system are described herein. The multi-tune filter system is a tunable frequency range filter. Further, the multi-tune filter system is a digitally programmable filter with an adjustable passband between first and second customizable frequency bounds f1, f2.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol generating component including a substrate impregnated with two or more aerosol forming materials, including a first aerosol forming material and a second aerosol forming material, wherein the first aerosol forming material and the second aerosol forming material each have different boiling points, different vapor pressures, or both. The disclosed aerosol generating component may be utilized in aerosol delivery devices such as heat not burn (HNB) or electrically heated aerosol delivery devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are mesenchymal stem cell growth factor compositions and methods of their use to treat skin disorder, alleviate the effects of aging, treat wounds, orthopedic disorders, sexual dysfunction and/or reduce inflammation.

Abstract: A computer device comprises a logic system and a computer-memory system operatively coupled to the logic system. The computer-memory system holds instructions that, when executed by the logic system, cause the computer device to instantiate a node of a blockchain having verifiable provenance. The blockchain includes a requestor block configured to specify at least one requested feature of a requested product and an offerer block cryptographically linked to the requestor block. The offerer block includes data obtained by automated testing of an offered product, which reveals the level of compliance of the offered product with respect to the requested feature through product feature life cycle of validation, test, verification and acceptance.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable transition assembly for transitioning a plurality of optical fibers from a multi-fiber cable to a plurality of furcation tubes. The fiber optic transition assembly has a housing with a front opening and an internal passageway that is defined by a wall and a narrow region. The housing is adapted to receive epoxy adhesive. The fiber optic transition assembly has a boot that is positioned at least partially inside the housing for receiving the multi-fiber cable to provide strain relief to the plurality of optical fibers extending therethrough. The fiber optic transition assembly has a plug supported by the boot and retained by the housing to prevent epoxy adhesive from entering the multi-fiber cable.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive substrate useful for Joule heating, such as in an electronic smoking article. Particularly, the invention provides a resistive heating element formed of a conductive substrate. The conductive substrate comprises an electrically conductive material and a carbonaceous additive, such as a binder material. The conductive substrate is carbonized in that it is subjected to calcining conditions to effectively reduce the carbonaceous additive to its carbon skeleton. It has been found that such carbonized substrate has surprisingly improved resistance properties in relation a substrate of the same formulation that is not carbonized. The carbonized substrate can include an aerosol precursor material. The formed resistive heating element can be included in an electronic smoking article to simultaneously provide resistive heating and aerosol formation with a single, unitary component.

Abstract: A ribbed tapered swage pin includes a head structure at a distal end which has a decreasing taper in the direction of the distal end and one or more ribs or lands positioned around the outer perimeter which, when helically driven, gradually plastically deform the swage boss of one part to form a swage joint with the hole of another part. A swaging tool with which such a swage pin may be used would, therefore, include a rotary actuator and a screw feed for driving the swage pin with a helical rotation and thrust to move through and thereby cold work the swage boss to form the swage joint.

Abstract: A UV reactor for treating water, the reactor includes a UV source, a tube positioned around the UV source, a surrounding structure coaxially surrounding the tube, a flow path positioned between the tube and the surrounding structure for the flow of water to be treated, and a diffusive surface positioned around the surrounding structure to reflect UV light from the UV source back into the flow path.

Abstract: Described herein are anti-microbial peptides having enhanced activity and transport.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solution for resisting destruction of living plants and a related method. A solution including a buffered amine oxide admixed with at least one material selected from the group consisting of insecticides and fungicides is applied to the living plant and provides a synergistically effective greater resistance to living plant deterioration than any of the individual buffered amine oxide, insecticides and fungicides achieve. A related method is disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable transition assembly for transitioning a plurality of optical fibers from a multi-fiber cable to a plurality of furcation tubes. The fiber optic transition assembly has a housing with a front opening and an internal passageway that is defined by a wall and a narrow region. The housing is adapted to receive epoxy adhesive. The fiber optic transition assembly has a boot that is positioned at least partially inside the housing for receiving the multi-fiber cable to provide strain relief to the plurality of optical fibers extending therethrough. The fiber optic transition assembly has a plug supported by the boot and retained by the housing to prevent epoxy adhesive from entering the multi-fiber cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for removing adhesive features. One embodiment is a method for operating a cryogenic-assisted adhesive a removal tool. The method includes dispensing a cryogenic fluid onto an adhesive feature disposed at a surface of a structure, cooling the adhesive feature to cause a physical change making the adhesive feature brittle, and operating the cryogenic-assisted adhesive removal tool to cleave the adhesive feature from the surface while the adhesive feature is physically changed.

Abstract: Aspects and examples are disclosed for improving multi-factor authentication techniques to control access to secured electronic resources. In one example, a decisioning computer system evaluates, based on a passive-dimension decision process, an access request, received from a user device, for a secured electronic resource. The passive-dimension decision process can evaluate dimensions associated with the access request, such as identity or device characteristics, to determine whether the dimensions of the access request are outside of norms for the user. Based on the passive-dimension decision model, the decisioning computing device may communicate to the user device an access decision, the access decision describing one or more of an access authorization, a denial of access, or a supplemental authentication challenge.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for removing adhesive features. One embodiment is a method for operating a cryogenic-assisted adhesive a removal tool. The method includes dispensing a cryogenic fluid onto an adhesive feature disposed at a surface of a structure, cooling the adhesive feature to cause a physical change making the adhesive feature brittle, and operating the cryogenic-assisted adhesive removal tool to cleave the adhesive feature from the surface while the adhesive feature is physically changed.

Abstract: A heat input control method for a welding system includes the step of receiving data encoding a desired heat input range having heat input values included between an upper limit and a lower limit. The method also includes the step of receiving data encoding a desired change to a level of a first weld variable of a set of weld variables. Further, the method includes determining a change to a level of a second weld variable of the set of weld variables. The determined change to the level of the second weld variable is suitable to maintain a heat input of a welding operation within the desired heat input range.

Abstract: A machine-implemented social networking system builds up and repeatedly refreshes a hierarchy tree containing topic nodes. New nodes are added as new topics emerge in online public forums. Each topic node can link to an on-topic real time chat room whose occupants are currently discussing the topic of the node. A chat room can be pointed to by more than one node if the room is discussing multiple topics. Rooms can migrate from node to node as room topic dynamically changes. A system user who explicitly or inferentially wishes to be invited into a chat room which is on-topic with what the user is currently focused upon can do so by use of a node-seeking automated process. The process operates in the background and seeks out nodes of the hierarchy tree that currently have topics appearing to be the same as or similar to what topics the user appears to have in mind.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conductive substrate useful for Joule heating, such as in an electronic smoking article. Particularly, the invention provides a resistive heating element formed of a conductive substrate. The conductive substrate comprises an electrically conductive material and a carbonaceous additive, such as a binder material. The conductive substrate is carbonized in that it is subjected to calcining conditions to effectively reduce the carbonaceous additive to its carbon skeleton. It has been found that such carbonized substrate has surprisingly improved resistance properties in relation a substrate of the same formulation that is not carbonized. The carbonized substrate can include an aerosol precursor material. The formed resistive heating element can be included in an electronic smoking article to simultaneously provide resistive heating and aerosol formation with a single, unitary component.

Abstract: The invention provides an article, such as an aerosol-generating smoking article that does not combust tobacco, that includes a tobacco rod and a filter element connected to the tobacco rod, the filter element having an end proximal to the tobacco rod and an end distal from the tobacco rod, wherein the filter element includes a first section of filter material and a second section of filter material, and further includes a smoke-altering flavorant.

Abstract: Described herein are anti-microbial peptides having enhanced activity and transport.

Abstract: The invention provides a cigarette with a filter element comprising at least one longitudinally extending section of filter material. The section of filter material comprises a smoke-altering material therein that is useful for removing a quantity of vapor phase chemicals from the mainstream smoke. The section of filter material further comprises one or more tubes inserted into and extending through section of filter material. The one or more tubes each define a channel adapted for passage of mainstream smoke through the section of filter material while substantially avoiding contact of the portion of mainstream smoke therein with the smoke-altering material. The provision of a portion of mainstream smoke substantially unaltered by the smoke-altering material can be useful to retain certain desirable taste and other sensory properties of the mainstream smoke.