Abstract: At least one example embodiment provides a non-combustible smoking system or kit, comprising: a cartridge having a first end and a second end; and a tobacco containing section having a third end and a fourth end. The cartridge includes: a pre-vapor formulation reservoir element and a pre-vapor heating element coupled to the pre-vapor formulation reservoir element. The tobacco containing section includes a tobacco housing and a tobacco heating element. The first end of the cartridge is configured to be connected to the fourth end of the tobacco containing section, and the second end of the cartridge is configured to be connected to the third end of the tobacco containing section.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, systems, devices, components, and methods for providing first data to a first waveguide device via a first medium of a first assembly, wherein the first waveguide device incorporates the first data as part of a first electromagnetic wave that is guided by, and propagates along, a first transmission medium coupled to the first waveguide device without requiring an electrical return path, and providing the first data, second data, or a combination thereof, to a second waveguide device via a first medium of a second assembly, wherein the second waveguide device incorporates the first data, the second data, or the combination thereof as part of a second electromagnetic wave that is guided by, and propagates along, a second transmission medium coupled to the second waveguide device without requiring the electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for environmental remediation of halogenated compounds such as chlorinated solvents is presented, the system comprising at least one bacterial strain capable of microbial chain elongation; at least one bacterial strain capable of reductive dehalogenation; and an alcohol. Also presented is a method remediating an environmental sample, the method comprising the steps of: providing a remediation composition; and treating an environmental sample comprising at least one chlorinated pollutant with the remediation composition; wherein the remediation composition comprises at least one bacterial strain capable of microbial chain elongation; at least one bacterial strain capable of reductive dehalogenation; and at least one bacterial strain capable of fermentation.

Abstract: A lawn sprinkler is provided that restrains a hydrodynamic water discharge from a flailing fluid nozzle in a manner adapted for distributing watering a user-defined area. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A height-adjustable table including a length-adjustable support, a motor assembly configured to drive adjustment of the length-adjustable support, a motor housing supporting the motor assembly. The length-adjustable support includes a telescopic column assembly comprising an exterior tube, an interior tube, and a spindle assembly. The spindle assembly includes spindle rod fixedly coupled to a first end of the exterior tube, the spindle rod being threadingly engaged with a spindle guide coupled to a first end of the interior tube, whereby rotation of the spindle rod causes the distance between the first ends to change in order to telescope the interior tube into or out of the exterior tube. Illustratively, force from rotation of the spindle rod is transferred through the spindle guide and into the first end of the interior tube.

Abstract: A toilet aid apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a support structure, a platform mounted to the support structure, and a displacement unit coupled to the platform to facilitate lifting and lowering of the platform, thereby aiding a person in sitting on a toilet bowl and in standing up subsequent to the use of the toilet bowl. The platform is configured to be rested on a toilet bowl. The displacement means, which can be a hydraulic or a pneumatic cylinder, can be operable via a handheld remote controller.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for characterizing particles, comprising: a microscope objective with an optical axis and a depth of field; a holder cell (22) configured to position the particles in a generally planar volume below the microscope objective, the planar volume being substantially normal to the optical axis and having a depth that is less than or equal to the depth of field, wherein a portion of the cell holder (22) for positioning in the optical axis of the microscope objective is substantially free of significant spectral features in a Raman spectral range; an x-y stage (20) to move the microscope objective relative to the holder cell (22) in x and y directions to align particles with the optical axis of the microscope objective while the particles are held by the holder cell (22), a detector (18) for acquiring an image of a particle through the microscope objective, a laser operable to illuminate a particle held by the holder cell (22), a Raman spectrometer (16) arranged to obtain a spectrum including the R

Abstract: A tourniquet having a first elongated member with a buckle on one end, and a second elongated member attached at both ends to the end of the first elongated member but leaving an intermediate portion of the second elongated member otherwise slidable with respect to the first elongated member. A windlass is used to twist the intermediate portion to apply tension to the first longitudinal member. Twisting the windlass produces a lineal component to the force and a torsional component. The buckle includes a first lateral side, a second lateral side and an intermediate bar between and spaced apart from them. The buckle also includes an anti-torsional plate that resists the torsional force. The buckle also has “teeth” the resist movement of the first longitudinal member from the buckle.

Abstract: A height-adjustable table including a length-adjustable support, a motor assembly configured to drive adjustment of the length-adjustable support, a motor housing supporting the motor assembly. The length-adjustable support includes a telescopic column assembly comprising an exterior tube, an interior tube, and a spindle assembly. The spindle assembly includes spindle rod fixedly coupled to a first end of the exterior tube, the spindle rod being threadingly engaged with a spindle guide coupled to a first end of the interior tube, whereby rotation of the spindle rod causes the distance between the first ends to change in order to telescope the interior tube into or out of the exterior tube. Illustratively, force from rotation of the spindle rod is transferred through the spindle guide and into the first end of the interior tube.

Abstract: One example described herein includes a launchable communications device. The device includes an electronic payload comprising a communication system configured to receive a first communications signal and to transmit a second communications signal along a communications path between a first communication station and a second communication station. The device also includes deployment equipment configured to deploy the launchable communications device and to sustain a deployment state of the launchable communications device with respect to a predetermined operational environment. The device further includes a rigid housing configured to substantially enclose the electronic payload and the conveyance equipment prior to and during at least a portion of deployment of the launchable communications device to the predetermined operational environment.

Abstract: One example includes a digital communications converter. The converter includes at least one analog signal port configured to couple to at least one radiating element associated with an antenna structure coupled to an exterior surface of a vehicle. The at least one analog signal port can be configured to at least one of transmit and receive analog radio frequency (RF) signals respectively to and from the at least one radiating element. The converter also includes a digital interface configured to at least one of receive the analog RF signals or transmit the analog RF signals via the respective at least one analog signal port. The converter is also configured to convert between the analog RF signals and digital communication signals on a digital transmission medium that are at least one of transmitted to the digital communications converter via a digital communications cable and transmitted from the digital communications converter via the digital communications cable.

Abstract: One example includes a digital communications converter. The converter includes at least one analog signal port configured to couple to at least one radiating element associated with an antenna structure coupled to an exterior surface of a vehicle. The at least one analog signal port can be configured to at least one of transmit and receive analog radio frequency (RF) signals respectively to and from the at least one radiating element. The converter also includes a digital interface configured to at least one of receive the analog RF signals or transmit the analog RF signals via the respective at least one analog signal port. The converter is also configured to convert between the analog RF signals and digital communication signals on a digital transmission medium that are at least one of transmitted to the digital communications converter via a digital communications cable and transmitted from the digital communications converter via the digital communications cable.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and device for detecting properties of heterogeneous samples, including detecting properties of particles or fluid droplets in industrial processes. A probe may be inserted into a first of multiple heterogeneous fluid samples. A portion of the first sample may be drawn into the probe and past a two-dimensional array detector. The portion of the first sample may be illuminated as it is drawn past the array detector and an image of the portion of the first sample may be acquired. The probe may be inserted into a second of multiple heterogeneous fluid samples. A portion of the second sample may be drawn into the probe and past a two-dimensional array detector. The portion of the second sample may be illuminated as it is drawn past the array detector and an image of the portion of the second sample may be acquired.

Abstract: A tourniquet having a first elongated member with a buckle on one end, and a second elongated member attached at both ends to the end of the first elongated member but leaving an intermediate portion of the second elongated member otherwise slidable with respect to the first elongated member. A windlass is used to twist the intermediate portion to apply tension to the first longitudinal member. Twisting the windlass produces a lineal component to the force and a torsional component. The buckle includes a first lateral side, a second lateral side and an intermediate bar between and spaced apart from them. The buckle also includes an anti-torsional plate that resists the torsional force. The buckle also has “teeth” the resist movement of the first longitudinal member from the buckle.

Abstract: A stabilizer for an aircraft tail includes a housing defining an interior. The housing is releasably connected to the aircraft tail. A mission-specific equipment package is stowed in the housing interior.

Abstract: A tourniquet having a first elongated member with a buckle on one end, and a second elongated member attached at both ends to the end of the first elongated member but leaving an intermediate portion of the second elongated member otherwise slidable with respect to the first elongated member. A windlass is used to twist the intermediate portion to apply tension to the first longitudinal member. Twisting the windlass produces a lineal component to the force and a torsional component. The buckle includes a first lateral side, a second lateral side and an intermediate bar between and spaced apart from them. The buckle also includes an anti-torsional plate that resists the torsional force. The buckle also has “teeth” the resist movement of the first longitudinal member from the buckle.

Abstract: One example described herein includes a launchable communications device. The device includes an electronic payload comprising a communication system configured to receive a first communications signal and to transmit a second communications signal along a communications path between a first communication station and a second communication station. The device also includes deployment equipment configured to deploy the launchable communications device and to sustain a deployment state of the launchable communications device with respect to a predetermined operational environment. The device further includes a rigid housing configured to substantially enclose the electronic payload and the conveyance equipment prior to and during at least a portion of deployment of the launchable communications device to the predetermined operational environment.

Abstract: One example described herein includes a launchable communications device. The device includes an electronic payload comprising a communication system configured to receive a first communications signal and to transmit a second communications signal along a communications path between a first communication station and a second communication station. The device also includes deployment equipment configured to deploy the launchable communications device and to sustain a deployment state of the launchable communications device with respect to a predetermined operational environment. The device further includes a rigid housing configured to substantially enclose the electronic payload and the conveyance equipment prior to and during at least a portion of deployment of the launchable communications device to the predetermined operational environment.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for characterizing particles, comprising: a microscope objective with an optical axis and a depth of field; a holder cell (22) configured to position the particles in a generally planar volume below the microscope objective, the planar volume being substantially normal to the optical axis and having a depth that is less than or equal to the depth of field, wherein a portion of the cell holder (22) for positioning in the optical axis of the microscope objective is substantially free of significant spectral features in a Raman spectral range; an x-y stage (20) to move the microscope objective relative to the holder cell (22) in x and y directions to align particles with the optical axis of the microscope objective while the particles are held by the holder cell (22), a detector (18) for acquiring an image of a particle through the microscope objective, a laser operable to illuminate a particle held by the holder cell (22), a Raman spectrometer (16) arranged to obtain a spectrum including the R

Abstract: One example described herein includes a launchable communications device. The device includes an electronic payload comprising a communication system configured to receive a first communications signal and to transmit a second communications signal along a communications path between a first communication station and a second communication station. The device also includes deployment equipment configured to deploy the launchable communications device and to sustain a deployment state of the launchable communications device with respect to a predetermined operational environment. The device further includes a rigid housing configured to substantially enclose the electronic payload and the conveyance equipment prior to and during at least a portion of deployment of the launchable communications device to the predetermined operational environment.