Abstract: A magazine for loading projectiles into a launch assembly by gravity feed. The magazine has a plurality blades radially extending from a central axis and defining a like plurality of compartments in an axially rotatable ring. The ring rests upon a stationary deck plate having a hole for gravity feed of the projectile into the launch assembly below. Projectiles having different fight characteristics are deposited into the compartments at a safe location, supported by the deck plate and the launch assembly with an associated device are transported to a hostile environment. A first projectile is launched by the launch assembly in a longitudinal direction. The launch assembly is retracted, automatically indexing the rotatable ring and dropping the next projectile through the hole and into the launch assembly for subsequent launch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to triterpene glycoside saponin-derived adjuvants, syntheses thereof, intermediates thereto, and uses thereof. QS-7 is a potent immuno-adjuvant that is significantly less toxic than QS-21, a related saponin that is currently the favored adjuvant in anticancer and antiviral vaccines. Tedious isolation and purification protocols have hindered the clinical development of QS-7. A novel semi-synthetic method is provided wherein a hydrolyzed prosapogenin mixture is used to synthesize QS-7, QS-21, and related analogs, greatly facilitating access to QS-7 and QS-21 analogs for preclinical and clinical evaluation.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and platforms for generating and deploying an augmented reality (AR) experience using a decoupled content management system is described herein. A method for providing an AR experience can include selecting a plurality of digital content associated with the AR experience from a content database at a decoupled CMS, defining one or more triggering mechanisms for actuating the AR experience, selecting one or more augmented reality assets based on a selected media asset type, generating an AR bundle comprised of at least one of the selected plurality of digital content, the one or more triggering mechanisms and the one or more augmented reality assets, and publishing the AR bundle to an end user application.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a reaction product of a saccharide polymer and a fatty acid or a fatty ester may be obtained in an aqueous phase in the presence of a hydroxide base and a neutral surfactant, the saccharide polymer comprising a dextran, a dextrin compound, or any combination thereof. The neutral surfactant may comprise at least one compound having a structure of in which R1 is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group having about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms; R2 is C1-C4 optionally branched alkyl, CH2OH, CH2O(CH2CH2O)xCH2CH2OH (x is 0 or a positive integer), CH(OH)CH2OH, CO2H, or CH2SO3?, and R3 is H or C1-C4 optionally branched alkyl, and R2 and R3 are not simultaneously CH2OH and H, respectively. The reaction product of the saccharide polymer may be present in the aqueous phase at a concentration effective to lower a surface tension of the neutral surfactant.

Abstract: A bottle closure and opener device for use on a wine bottle including a sleeve having a top side, a bottom side, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the top side having a first opening, the bottom side having a second opening, and the inner surface including inner threads, wherein the internal threads are configured to mate with external threads on a top portion of the wine bottle. A cork having an upper portion positioned within the first opening of the sleeve and extending above the bottle top and a lower portion of the cork positioned within the wine bottle's neck opening to seal a liquid within the wine bottle and to seal oxygen from entering the bottle. During operation, the cork and sleeve combination are configured to be removed from the wine bottle's opening via unscrewing the sleeve from the top portion of the wine bottle.

Abstract: A fluid sensor for sensing a concentration or composition of a fluid, the sensor comprising a first temperature sensing element located on or within a first dielectric membrane and a second temperature sensing element located on or within a second dielectric membrane. An output circuit is configured to measure a differential signal between the first temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element. The fluid sensor comprises a first region configured to be exposed to the fluid, and a second region configured to be isolated from the fluid, where the first dielectric membrane is located in the first region, such that in use, the first dielectric membrane is exposed to the fluid, and wherein the second dielectric membrane is located in the second region such that in use, the second dielectric membrane is isolated from the fluid.

Abstract: A bottle closure and opener device for use on a wine bottle including a sleeve having a top side, a bottom side, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the top side having a first opening, the bottom side having a second opening, and the inner surface including inner threads, wherein the internal threads are configured to mate with external threads on a top portion of the wine bottle. A cork having an upper portion positioned within the first opening of the sleeve and extending above the bottle top and a lower portion of the cork positioned within the wine bottle's neck opening to seal a liquid within the wine bottle and to seal oxygen from entering the bottle. During operation, the cork and sleeve combination are configured to be removed from the wine bottle's opening via unscrewing the sleeve from the top portion of the wine bottle.

Abstract: A temporary stair tread for use in a pan stir comprises a stair tread body, a first biasing member and a second biasing member. The stair tread body has an upper portion, a lower portion, and first and second longitudinal edges. The first biasing member extends outwardly from the first longitudinal edge and is resiliently deformable. The second biasing member extends outwardly from the second longitudinal edge and is resiliently deformable. The temporary stair tread is installable in a pan stair tread recess with the first biasing member resiliently deformed by contact with a first side of the pan stair tread recess and the second biasing member resiliently deformed by contact with a second side of the pan stair recess to generate a retention force securing the temporary stair tread in place.

Abstract: An extraction system is designed for metal working and other applications. The system employs a pneumatic filter cleaning device with a pneumatically driven extension guide arranged within a chamber. The guide is coupled to a first end of an extension member, which has a nozzle secured to a second end. Pressurized air provided to the nozzle through the extension member increases until a pressure at the nozzle reaches a threshold pressure level. Once the threshold pressure level is achieved, the nozzle releases a pulse or burst of air directed to a filter medium. The force from the pulsed air dislodges airborne components from the filter media, resulting in a cleaned filter.

Abstract: The disclosed filter and/or debris disposal system is configured to easily dispose of filter elements, filter media, and/or debris with minimal resources, and/or effort. In some examples, a flexible container is employed to enclose a used filter element prior to removal of the filter from the extractor.

Abstract: Photoluminous markers can include a photoluminescent outer surface and an inner surface configured to affix to a surface of a building element, and an overlay having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface being removably coupled to a surface area of the photoluminescent outer surface of the photoluminous marker, wherein the overlay permits light emitted from the photoluminescent outer surface to be visible.

Abstract: Photoluminous markers can include a photoluminescent outer surface and an inner surface configured to affix to a surface of a building element, and an overlay having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface being removably coupled to a surface area of the photoluminescent outer surface of the photoluminous marker, wherein the overlay permits light emitted from the photoluminescent outer surface to be visible.

Abstract: A cover can comprise a photoluminescent outer surface, an inner surface configured to be affixed to an indicator sign, and one or more void areas passing through the inner and outer surfaces arranged in a pattern, wherein the pattern defines a negative image in contrast to the photoluminescent outer surface, wherein the negative image corresponds to a graphic on the indicator sign such that the first graphic is visible through the void areas when the cover is affixed to the indicator sign.

Abstract: An exemplary stair nosing assembly comprises an elongated base, a plate adhered to the base, and a cover temporarily covering the base and the plate. The base has at least one anchor portion extending downwardly from the upper portion for attaching to a lip of a tread pan and/or embedding in a concrete tread. The plate can have various features to enhance traction and visibility. The cover has front and rear lips that engage with front and rear edges of the base, and a weakened region adjacent the rear lip. When the assembly is embedded in a concrete tread, the cover is configured to fracture at the weakened region when the front lip of the cover is lifted upward from the base, leaving the rear lip remaining embedded in the concrete and allowing the rest of the cover to be removed to expose upper surfaces of the base and plate.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of a stair tread which can be installed on a staircase. The stair tread has a metal core at least partially covered with high-strength concrete. In an exemplary embodiment, the core portion has first and second horizontally extending metal plates that are spaced apart vertically from each other, and a grid of vertically extending metal support walls positioned between the first and second metal plates. The core portion can also include retention elements extending upwardly from and distributed across the top of the upper plate for securing the concrete covering to the core.

Abstract: An exemplary stair nosing assembly comprises an elongated base, a plate adhered to the base, and a cover temporarily covering the base and the plate. The base has at least one anchor portion extending downwardly from the upper portion for attaching to a lip of a tread pan and/or embedding in a concrete tread. The plate can have various features to enhance traction and visibility. The cover has front and rear lips that engage with front and rear edges of the base, and a weakened region adjacent the rear lip. When the assembly is embedded in a concrete tread, the cover is configured to fracture at the weakened region when the front lip of the cover is lifted upward from the base, leaving the rear lip remaining embedded in the concrete and allowing the rest of the cover to be removed to expose upper surfaces of the base and plate.

Abstract: An exemplary stair nosing assembly comprises an elongated base, a plate adhered to the base, and a cover temporarily covering the base and the plate. The base has at least one anchor portion extending downwardly from the upper portion for attaching to a lip of a tread pan and/or embedding in a concrete tread. The plate can have various features to enhance traction and visibility. The cover has front and rear lips that engage with front and rear edges of the base, and a weakened region adjacent the rear lip. When the assembly is embedded in a concrete tread, the cover is configured to fracture at the weakened region when the front lip of the cover is lifted upward from the base, leaving the rear lip remaining embedded in the concrete and allowing the rest of the cover to be removed to expose upper surfaces of the base and plate.

Abstract: A micro-hotplate is provided in the form of a device comprising a sensor and one or more resistive heaters within the micro-hotplate arranged to heat the sensor. Furthermore a controller is provided for applying a bidirectional drive current to at least one of the heaters to reduce electromigration. The controller also serves to drive the heater at a substantially constant temperature.