Abstract: A device for use while smoking includes a sleeve defining an opening on a first end. The opening is contiguous with a recess defined therein. The recess is configured for slideably receiving a smoking accessory therein. An extinguisher is positioned on a second end. The extinguisher defines a resilient seal that is configured for being received above a smoking substance that is under flame to extinguish the smoking substance. The device has a first mode of operation in which stowage of a smoking accessory is received within the sleeve, a second mode of operation in which the device is engaged with a proximal surface by engagement of the resilient seal with the proximal surface, and a third mode of operation in which the extinguisher carried by the sleeve is used to extinguish a flame.

Abstract: A titanium alloy for additive manufacturing that includes 5.5 to 6.5 wt % aluminum (Al); 3.0 to 4.5 wt % vanadium (V); 1.0 to 2.0 wt % molybdenum (Mo); 0.3 to 1.5 wt % iron (Fe); 0.3 to 1.5 wt % chromium (Cr); 0.05 to 0.5 wt % zirconium (Zr); 0.2 to 0.3 wt % oxygen (O); maximum of 0.05 wt % nitrogen (N); maximum of 0.08 wt % carbon (C); maximum of 0.25 wt % silicon (Si); and balance titanium, wherein a value of an aluminum structural equivalent [Al]eq ranges from 7.5 to 9.5 wt %, and is defined by the following equation: [Al]eq=[Al]+[O]×10+[Zr]/6, and wherein a value of a molybdenum structural equivalent [Mo]eq ranges from 6.0 to 8.5 wt %, and is defined by the following equation: [Mo]eq=[Mo]+[V]/1.5+[Cr]×1.25+[Fe]×2.5.

Abstract: A method for preparing states on a quantum computer with given particle number and total spin squared quantum numbers by means of parametrized gates. Explicit decompositions of these gates are given for an embodiment of the method where fermions are mapped to the computational units of the quantum computer by means of a Jordan-Wigner mapping. As an example, the method is advantageous for the variational optimization of energies of chemical systems and the quantum computation of activation energies of chemical reactions.

Abstract: An improved agility system can include a first stanchion rotatably secured within a storage area of a first base by a shaft and rotatable at least ninety degrees from the storage area into an upright position with respect to the first base. The system can include a second stanchion rotatably secured within a storage area of a first base by a shaft and rotatable at least ninety degrees from the storage area into an upright position with respect to the second base, a retaining means formed within the stanchions, and a bar suspendable horizontally by the retaining means. Retaining means can be comprised of bore holes or notches formed at various distances along the stanchions from their respective shafts, metallic or magnetic strips formed along sides of the first and second stanchions, or metallic or magnetic elements disposed at various distances along sides of the first and second stanchions.

Abstract: The disclosure is in the technical field of circuit-model quantum computation. Generally, it concerns methods to use quantum computers to perform computations on classical spin models, where the classical spin models involve a number of spins that is exponential in the number of qubits that comprise the quantum computer. Examples of such computations include optimization and calculation of thermal properties, but extend to a wide variety of calculations that can be performed using the configuration of a spin model with an exponential number of spins. Spin models encompass optimization problems, physics simulations, and neural networks (there is a correspondence between a single spin and a single neuron). This disclosure has applications in these three areas as well as any other area in which a spin model can be used.

Abstract: The disclosure is in the technical field of circuit-model quantum computation. Generally, it concerns methods to use quantum computers to perform computations on classical spin models, where the classical spin models involve a number of spins that is exponential in the number of qubits that comprise the quantum computer. Examples of such computations include optimization and calculation of thermal properties, but extend to a wide variety of calculations that can be performed using the configuration of a spin model with an exponential number of spins. Spin models encompass optimization problems, physics simulations, and neural networks (there is a correspondence between a single spin and a single neuron). This disclosure has applications in these three areas as well as any other area in which a spin model can be used.

Abstract: A device for interchanging a patch on an article, the device including a base component configured to contact an inner surface of the article; a curved component configured to contact an outer surface of the article wherein the curved component is switchable between an engaged state and a disengaged state, and wherein the curved component is configured to receive the patch in the disengaged state and attach the patch to the article in the engaged state; and a connector configured to extend through the article to fasten the curved component to the base component.

Abstract: A device for interchanging a patch on an article, the device including a base component configured to contact an inner surface of the article; a curved component configured to contact an outer surface of the article wherein the curved component is switchable between an engaged state and a disengaged state, and wherein the curved component is configured to receive the patch in the disengaged state and attach the patch to the article in the engaged state; and a connector configured to extend through the article to fasten the curved component to the base component.

Abstract: A system, and method for removing contaminants from wastewater is disclosed. The system may include a first tank of a plurality of tanks containing zeolite material selected to capture and retain contaminants in the wastewater to produce treated water. At least one sensor associated with the first tank may be configured to detect a concentration of contaminants in the treated water. A control means is communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, and is configured to direct the flow of the produced water to a second tank of the plurality of tanks based on the detected concentration of the treated water.

Abstract: A system and method for removing contaminants from wastewater is disclosed. The system may include a first tank of a plurality of tanks containing zeolite material selected to capture and retain contaminants in the wastewater to produce treated water. At least one sensor associated with the first tank may be configured to detect a concentration of contaminants in the treated water. A control means is communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, and is configured to direct the flow of the produced water to a second tank of the plurality of tanks based on the detected concentration of the treated water.

Abstract: A system, and method for removing contaminants from wastewater is disclosed. The system may include a first tank of a plurality of tanks containing zeolite material selected to capture and retain contaminants in the wastewater to produce treated water. At least one sensor associated with the first tank may be configured to detect a concentration of contaminants in the treated water. A control means is communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor, and is configured to direct the flow of the produced water to a second tank of the plurality of tanks based on the detected concentration of the treated water.

Abstract: A trimmer that is operable to cut at least one sheet of paper includes a base configured to support the at least one sheet, a rail extending across at least a portion of the base, and a cutting assembly having a carriage slidably coupled to the rail and a blade positioned on the carriage. The trimmer also includes a blade opposing member coupled to the base adjacent to the rail and an indicator operable to display a usable life status of at least one of the blade and the blade opposing member.

Abstract: A shut-off valve for connecting between a water supply valve and a tank inlet port of a toilet tank includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a valve mechanism, a trip mechanism, and a trip circuit electrically connected with the trip mechanism. The valve mechanism includes a valve housing rotationally confining a first ceramic disk and a ceramic second disk, each disk having at least one aperture therethrough that, when mutually aligned, allow for fluid communication between the inlet and outlet ports. The trip mechanism includes a rotational spring that urges rotation of an axial shaft fixed coaxially with the second disk. A trip latch is adapted to prevent rotation of the axial shaft and second disk except when withdrawn from the axial shaft by a solenoid electrically connected to the trip circuit that is electrically connected with a toilet tank overflow sensor, a toilet bowl overflow sensor, or the like.

Abstract: A system for dispensing adhesive onto a surface is provided. This system includes a dispenser and a quantity of discrete units of adhesive releasably deposited on a substrate. The dispenser includes a drive mechanism that further includes an actuator for actuating the dispenser; and a drive wheel, wherein the drive wheel further includes mechanical means for engaging the actuator. An optional supply wheel may be included in the dispenser. The quantity of discrete units of adhesive is releasably deposited on a substrate that may be mounted on the supply wheel or that may simply sit within the dispenser. The substrate further includes means for cooperating with the drive wheel to incrementally advance the substrate a substantially fixed, and predetermined distance upon actuation of the dispenser.

Abstract: A cutting device for paper or other materials including a substantially flat base, a manually-operated cutting blade assembly, a sighting device, and a switch is provided. The base is adapted to receive substantially thin or flat materials for cutting. The manually-operated cutting blade assembly is pivotally attached to either side of the base and includes an elongated cutting arm positioned over a predetermined line of cut on the base. The sighting device includes a housing and an adjustable light source mounted within and protected by the housing, wherein the light source projects a fixed line of visible light along the predetermined line of cut. The switch and switch actuator activate and deactivate the light source.

Abstract: A device for sharpening crayons, wax pencils, and the like is provided. This device includes: a multi-blade removable and replaceable crayon sharpening cartridge; an electric motor mechanically coupled to the blade cartridge for axially rotating the blade cartridge around a crayon that has been inserted into the blade cartridge; a base for supporting the electric motor; a contoured receptacle positionable on the base beneath the blade cartridge for capturing crayon debris; and a contoured exterior housing for enclosing the electric motor and the blade cartridge.

Abstract: A device for cutting paper or other materials is provided. This device includes a substantially flat base, wherein the base is adapted to receive paper and other flat material for cutting. A manually-operated cutting blade assembly is pivotally attached to either the right or left side of the base. The cutting blade assembly includes an elongated cutting arm positioned over a predetermined line of cut on the base. A sighting device is mounted on the base on the same side as the elongated cutting arm and further includes a housing and an adjustable light source mounted within and protected by the housing. The light source projects a fixed line of visible light along the predetermined line of cut. A switch is included for activating and deactivating the light source. A first portion of the switch is located in the handle grip and a second portion of the switch is located within the housing.

Abstract: A trimmer that is operable to cut at least one sheet includes a base having a support surface configured to support the at least one sheet and a rail extending across at least a portion of the base. A plane extends substantially perpendicularly from the support surface and through the rail. The trimmer also includes a cutting assembly slidably coupled to the rail and having a blade. The blade is tilted relative to the plane.

Abstract: A trimmer that is operable to cut at least one sheet includes a base configured to support the at least one sheet and a rail extending across at least a portion of the base. The rail is movable toward the base in a first mode to clamp the at least one sheet between the rail and the base. The trimmer also includes a cutting assembly having a blade slidably coupled to the rail. The blade is operable to cut the at least one sheet. The trimmer further includes a clamping member coupled to the rail. The clamping member is movable relative to the rail and toward the base in a second mode to clamp the at least one sheet between the clamping member and the base.

Abstract: A trimmer that is operable to cut at least one sheet of paper includes a base configured to support the at least one sheet, a rail extending across at least a portion of the base, and a cutting assembly having a carriage slidably coupled to the rail and a blade positioned on the carriage. The trimmer also includes a blade opposing member coupled to the base adjacent to the rail and an indicator operable to display a usable life status of at least one of the blade and the blade opposing member.