Abstract: A smoking article and a method for making a smoking article are provided.

Abstract: A smoking article and a method for making a smoking article are provided.

Abstract: In response to a query to a database, the identity of a slave machine which stores the requested data is resolved, and the query is parsed to identify one or more shards at the slave machine. Each shard corresponds to a partition of the requested data stored at the slave, and rows inside of the shard are respectively assigned a fixed-size local ID. Tasks corresponding to each shard are placed into a thread pool, and the threads are processed using the respective local IDs to obtain the requested data.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle can include a plurality of motors coupled to a plurality of gearboxes, each gearbox of the plurality of gearboxes configured to be rotated, a plurality of nested driveshafts coupled to the plurality of gearboxes and including at least a first driveshaft and a second driveshaft, and a plurality of appendages operably coupled to the plurality of gearboxes. A particular appendage of the plurality of appendages can be configured to be rotated in response to a rotational motion of the first driveshaft. The robotic vehicle can include a plurality of wheels coupled to the plurality of appendages and configured to rotate about a plurality of wheel axles. Each wheel of the plurality of wheels can be configured to cause the robotic vehicle to be transported across a contacting surface in response to the rotational motion of the second driveshaft.

Abstract: Embodiments of a data encryption and/or decryption technique are disclosed. In accordance with one example embodiment, a method may include enciphering a message, based at least in part, on a hierarchical symbol assignment system, and modifying an enciphering key signal value to modify a level of security of enciphering.

Abstract: A smoking article and a method for making a smoking article are provided.

Abstract: Smoking articles and a method for making a smoking article are provided.

Abstract: In response to a query to a database, the identity of a slave machine which stores the requested data is resolved, and the query is parsed to identify one or more shards at the slave machine. Each shard corresponds to a partition of the requested data stored at the slave, and rows inside of the shard are respectively assigned a fixed-size local ID. Tasks corresponding to each shard are placed into a thread pool, and the threads are processed using the respective local IDs to obtain the requested data.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle can include a plurality of motors coupled to a plurality of gearboxes, each gearbox of the plurality of gearboxes configured to be rotated, a plurality of nested driveshafts coupled to the plurality of gearboxes and including at least a first driveshaft and a second driveshaft, and a plurality of appendages operably coupled to the plurality of gearboxes. A particular appendage of the plurality of appendages can be configured to be rotated in response to a rotational motion of the first driveshaft. The robotic vehicle can include a plurality of wheels coupled to the plurality of appendages and configured to rotate about a plurality of wheel axles. Each wheel of the plurality of wheels can be configured to cause the robotic vehicle to be transported across a contacting surface in response to the rotational motion of the second driveshaft.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for articulating elongate flexible structures such as catheters optionally include an array of fluid-expandable bodies such as balloons. The array can be formed using separate strings of balloons formed along single-lumen balloon tube material. The balloon strings can be twisted together to form a multi-channel bundle, or the balloon strings may be circumferentially separated, each extending axially. Regardless, the balloons along a common lumen may be aligned so as to bend the catheter in a desired lateral direction. The fluid-expandable bodies may include an elastomeric bladder with a fiber braid so that inflation of the bladder shortens the assembly and applies axial tension to articulate the catheter. The elongate flexible structures may be pre-biased so as to form a bend when in a relaxed configuration, with the structures being articulatable from the bend.

Abstract: A smoking article and a method for making a smoking article are provided.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for articulating elongate flexible structures such as catheters optionally include an array of fluid-expandable bodies such as balloons. A user may alter a bend characteristic of the flexible structure by manually moving a handle of a pump. The pump may induce a flow of inflation fluid into a subset of the expandable bodies, and the resulting expansion can change a bend characteristic of the flexible structure. The pump may comprise a threaded syringe pump, one or more balloon that is manually compressed by movement of the handle (so that the balloon acts as a displacement pump), a multi-axis displacement pump (optionally with laterally offset piston-cylinder assemblies coupled to the handle to induce laterally offset bending of the flexible structure), or the like, providing easily-modulated articulation with a low-cost, light-weight, and/or at least partially disposable user interface.

Abstract: Smoking articles and a method for making a smoking article are provided.

Abstract: A smoking article and a method for making a smoking article are provided.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle battery cell rebalancer for hybrid vehicles used to restore cell balance and improve performance while cooling and protecting the hybrid battery against damage from the rebalancing process. This may be accomplished by charging and/or discharging the battery cells in the hybrid battery pack at the same time while powering and controlling the vehicle's hybrid battery cooling fan.

Abstract: Embodiments of a data encryption and/or decryption technique are disclosed. Briefly, for example, in accordance with one example embodiment a method is provided. A message based at least in part on a hierarchical symbol assignment system is encrypted. The hierarchical symbol assignment system is represented as a numerical value.

Abstract: Snake proof slipper or hosiery that is manufactured from woven material that is capable of preventing penetration by the fangs of a snake. The snake proof slipper is worn on the foot of the user and placed within a footwear article to prevent snake bite. Prior art examples are worn externally where the present invention is worn internally and is comfortable, flexible and snake proof.

Abstract: The invention provides a power supply system for a data storage system, the power supply system comprising: a first power supply unit for supplying power to the storage system; a second power supply unit independent from the first power supply unit for supplying power to the storage system; an auxiliary power supply; a power redundancy controller, arranged to monitor the region of an efficiency curve within which the first and/or second power supplies are operating in and control the first and second power supplies accordingly such that the either or both of the first and second power supplies are providing power at any one time, wherein in the event of failure of a power supply unit when only one of the power supply units is operating, the power redundancy controller is arranged to provide power supply to the data storage system from the auxiliary power supply.

Abstract: The invention provides a power supply system for a data storage system, the power supply system comprising: a first power supply unit for supplying power to the storage system; a second power supply unit independent from the first power supply unit for supplying power to the storage system; an auxiliary power supply; a power redundancy controller, arranged to monitor the region of an efficiency curve within which the first and/or second power supplies are operating in and control the first and second power supplies accordingly such that the either or both of the first and second power supplies are providing power at any one time, wherein in the event of failure of a power supply unit when only one of the power supply units is operating, the power redundancy controller is arranged to provide power supply to the data storage system from the auxiliary power supply.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that permit the transparent bridging of a broad range of backup storage devices, such that backup software will identify an intermediate device as a one of those storage devices and will transparently send their backup data-stream thereto as part of the existing standard backup process. Upon receipt of a backup data-stream from the backup software, the methods and apparatus provide for analysis of the data elements in the data-stream, collection of management information about those data elements, and storage of the management information in an easily accessible format for subsequent review and query by users and administrators of the original data. The same backup data-stream is stored on any standard backup storage device, including the imitated backup storage device.