Abstract: An aerosol-generating device includes a vapor generation unit, at least one reservoir configured to store an aerosol forming material, and a filter disposed so as to remove particles from the aerosol forming material passing from the at least one reservoir to the vapor generation unit, the vapor generation unit including a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS). The aerosol-generating device is configured to heat the filter so as to heat the aerosol forming material passing through it.

Abstract: Compounds having the structure of Formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X1, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined in the specification; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and salts; use of such compounds and salts to treat or prevent Prolyl endopeptidase fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-mediated conditions; kits comprising such compounds and salts; and methods for manufacturing such compounds and salts.

Abstract: A virtualized blockchain forest includes a plurality of individual blockchains. Each individual blockchain of the plurality includes a blockchain height, a genesis block, and at least one additional block. The virtualized blockchain forest further includes a plurality of participating processors that make up a consensus pool, and a blockchain forest height having a time-sequenced start-to-finish length of blocks among the collective plurality of individual blockchains. The virtualized blockchain forest is configured to aggregate different ones of the plurality of individual blockchains, and is further configured to terminate individual ones of plurality of individual blockchains.

Abstract: A method is presented for secure communication, the method including generating a signature using a private key, a nonce, and at least one of an identifier and a key component; and transmitting the signature, the nonce, a security parameter, and the at least one of the identifier and the key component, wherein the security parameter associates a user identity with a public key, the public key being associated with the private key.

Abstract: A method of converting a switch assembly from a non-contact switch assembly to a contact switch assembly to detect an event. The method includes securing an adapter body outside of an enclosed housing of the switch assembly, with an actuation body connected to the adapter body, so that a target connected to the actuation body is supported outside of the enclosed housing by the adapter body and so that the actuation body is disposed to be moved relative to the adapter body from a first orientation to second orientation, upon occurrence of the event, to activate the switch assembly by moving the target between a first location outside of the enclosed housing and a second location outside of the enclosed housing. In one example, the target may be one or more of a magnetic target or a ferrous target.

Abstract: A gaming machine may be configured for supporting games that include use of pay modalities, which are overlaid on selected symbols. The gaming machine includes a credit input mechanism configured for establishing a credit balance that is increasable and decreasable based on wagering activities, a display having a plurality of display positions, and a game controller to select a plurality of symbols, to cause the display to display the selected symbols, to determine if the selected symbols associated with at least one of one or more predetermined reels of the plurality of reels include a special symbol, and if so, to determine one or more special values associated with the special symbol, and to overlay a particular one of the one or more special values on each displayed instance of the special symbol. The game controller determines a payout based on assigned special values associated with the displayed special symbol.

Abstract: Described herein are conductive elastomeric foam materials and methods of making and using the same. The conductive elastomeric foam materials include a polymeric matrix, one or more conductive fillers, and one or more foaming agents. The polymeric matrix can include a thermoset polymer or a thermoplastic polymer. Also described herein are methods of making conductive elastomeric foam materials. Further described herein are molded products including the conductive elastomeric foam materials as described herein and wearable devices including the molded products.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions that include at least two different nucleic acid vectors, where each of the at least two different vectors includes a coding sequence that encodes a different portion of an otoferlin protein, and the use of these compositions to treat hearing loss in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for preparing linkers that are useful in the conjugation of therapeutic molecules (e.g., cytotoxic agents) with targeting moieties (e.g., proteins, peptides, antibodies, nanoparticles, nucleic acids). During said processes lipases like lipase B from Candida antarctica were used for enantioselective resolution of (S,S)-2-benzylthiocyclohexanol or (S,S)-2-benzylthiocycloheptanol in presence of acylating agent which are reduced for deprotection to yield (S,S)-2-mercaptocyclohexanol or (S,S)-2-mercaptocyclopentanol which can then be used for linking therapeutic with targeting moieties.

Abstract: Selective discharging of a rechargeable battery pack across a power supply system load is provided, which includes determining occurrence of a condition within the power supply system, the power supply system including a power supply circuit and a backup energy source. The power supply circuit receives main input power, and the backup energy source is operatively coupled to the power supply circuit to supply backup power to the system load when main power input to the power supply circuit is unavailable. Based on determining occurrence of the condition within the power supply system, a controller actively discharges a rechargeable battery pack of the backup energy source. The actively discharging includes controlling the power supply circuit to force discharging of power from the rechargeable battery pack to the power supply system load by suspending the main input power within the system from powering the system load.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for the integration of a gas fermentation process with a gasification process whereby tail gas from the gas fermentation process is recycled to a dryer of the gasification process. The tail gas from the gas fermentation process is utilized to generate heat which in turn is used to dry feedstock to the gasification process. The heat is typically used to heat a drying gas, such as air, which is then directly or indirectly contacted with the gasification feedstock to dry the gasification feedstock. Dried gasification feedstock provides improved yield and improved quality of syngas as compared to gasification feedstock that is not dried.

Abstract: A method of molding a personal care product, a manifold, and a cosmetic product molding apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, the method of molding a personal care product comprises: moving a material through a temperature controlled manifold, opening one or more injection valves between the temperature controlled manifold and one or more mold cavities, injecting the material at a controlled pressure into the one or mold cavities in a closed position to form one or more articles, closing the one or more injection valves between the temperature controlled manifold and one or more mold cavities after injecting the material into the one or more mold cavities, opening the one or more mold cavities, and removing the one or more articles from the one or more mold cavities.

Abstract: A process for on-site hydrogen reforming is disclosed. The process includes providing a combined reformer heat exchanger component in which heated air, steam, and hydrocarbon fuel react to form process gas containing hydrogen, and the process gas is cooled via the heat exchanger. The combined components enable reductions in size, materials, costs, and heat loss. Additionally, as the heat exchanger side of the component operates at a cooler temperature, an uninsulated flange for access to the catalyst chamber can be used. A combined combustion heat exchanger component is also provided with similar advantages. Process gas is processed, and hydrogen gas is produced via a purification process.

Abstract: An automated teller machine comprises a communications module; an image module; a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to receive a first cheque for deposit; engage the image module to capture an image of the first cheque; send, via the communications module and to a server computer system, a signal that includes the image of the first cheque for acceptance; send, via the communications module and to an automated teller machine switch, a signal that includes a request for transaction authorization approval based on the first cheque; receive, via the communications module and from the server computer system, a signal that includes an indication of acceptance of the image of the first cheque; receive, via the communications module and from the automated teller machine switch, a signal that includes an indication of approval of the request for the transaction authorization based on the first cheque; and responsive to r

Abstract: A magnetic battery cell connection mechanism includes a first battery cell and a second battery cell. A first connector has a first body including a first electrical pathway. A first electrical contact is disposed on the first body and electrically connected to the first electrical pathway. A first magnet is connected to the first body, the first magnet being adapted to magnetically releasably secure the first body to a positive terminal of the first battery cell. A second connector has a second body including a second electrical pathway. A second electrical contact is disposed on the second body and electrically connected to the second electrical pathway. A second magnet is connected to the second body, the second magnet being adapted to magnetically releasably secure the second body to a negative terminal of the second battery cell. The first connector and the second connector are electrically connected to an electrical circuit.

Abstract: An aircraft store ejector systems and subsystems thereof. Embodiments can include a two-reservoir re-pressurization system wherein a remote reservoir is used to maintain desired pressure in a local ejector reservoir. The system can include a release valve having a vent valve and valve piston. The release valve can control release of pressurized gas to a pitch control valve. The pitch control valve can be configured to distribute the pressurized gas between two or more ejector piston assemblies. One or more of the ejector piston assemblies can include multiple concentric piston stages and piston chambers, the piston chambers configured to contain a volume of gas. The ejector piston assemblies can be configured to compress the volume of gas within the piston chambers as the piston stages are extended out from the aircraft. Such compression can provide a return force to the piston stages.

Abstract: A method for controlling a dual fuel engine system includes determining a friction power loss amount of an internal combustion engine of the dual fuel engine system, where the friction power loss amount is based on an engine speed of the internal combustion engine and a friction torque estimate. The method also includes determining an accessory power loss amount of a power of the internal combustion engine, where the accessory power loss amount is based on the engine speed and an accessory torque estimate. The method further includes estimating a net engine power amount based on the accessory power loss amount and a brake power amount of the internal combustion engine, estimating an indicated diesel power, and estimating, based on the estimated net engine power, a first indicated engine power and a first gas power.

Abstract: An aircraft may include a tail having a rudder and a pair of wings. The pair of wings may include at least one flap and at least one roll control device. The aircraft may also include at least two thrust-producing devices. The aircraft may also include a differential thrust control system including a computing device having at least one processor. The at least one processer may be configured to control an attitude of the aircraft by selectively operating the at least two thrust-producing devices, the rudder, and the at least one roll control device based at least in part on a plurality of conditions provided by a plurality of sensors on the aircraft and a selected mode setting of a mode control panel. The computing device may be communicatively coupled to the at least two thrust-producing devices, the rudder, and the at least one roll control device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a dual fuel engine system includes estimating a total indicated engine load, where the total indicated engine load is based on a sum of a measured engine power and a power loss estimate. The method further includes determining a total fueling amount based on an engine speed and the total indicated engine load, where the total fueling amount includes a gas fueling amount and a diesel fueling amount. The method also includes controlling the dual fuel engine system using the total fueling amount.