Abstract: Paper supports for fluid or cells having a decreased surface area are provided. Methods of producing such support comprise contacting the support with a composition comprising sodium periodate such that the surface area is decreased. The support or a portion thereof are reduced in surface area and the reduced portion or reduced entire support is degradable. The resulting paper support may also have hydrophilic channels and/or hydrophobic barriers that are also reduced in surface area. In embodiments the support may be a micropad or support for producing a tissue have desired structure. The support is miniaturized dialdehyde paper support that is malleable and retains its structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a system to encourage user pick-up over home delivery of an item being made available to a user for purchase. The system can comprise one or more processors and/or one or more non-transitory memory storage devices. The one or more memory storage devices can store computer instructions configured to run on the one or more processors and perform acts of: causing the item to be displayed on a graphical user interface; and when the item is to be received by the user by user pick-up, evaluating whether the item is eligible to be made available for purchase at a user pick-up discounted retail price that is less than a home delivery retail price at which the item is made available for purchase when the item is to be received by the user by home delivery. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the directional spectrum of one or more waves in a fluid medium using a multi-beam sonar system. In an exemplary embodiment, range cells located within a plurality of acoustic beams are sampled to provide current velocity data. Optionally, wave surface height and pressure data is obtained as well. This velocity, wave height, and pressure data is Fourier-transformed by one or more signal processors within the system, and a surface height spectrum produced. A cross-spectral coefficient matrix at each observed frequency is also generated from this data. A sensitivity vector specifically related to the ADCP's transducer array geometry is used in conjunction with maximum likelihood method (MLM), iterative maximum likelihood method (IMLM), or other similar methods to solve a the wave equation at each frequency and produce a frequency-specific wave directional spectrum.

Abstract: A system and method of horizontal wave measurement is disclosed. The system for measuring the directional spectrum of waves in a fluid medium having a substantially planar surface may include a sonar system having a plurality of transducers for generating respective acoustic beams and receiving echoes from one or more range cells located substantially within the beams, at least one of the plurality of acoustic beams being angled non-orthogonally to at least one other of the plurality of acoustic beams. The method may calculate the directional spectrum associated with the waves from the received echoes.

Abstract: A system and method of horizontal wave measurement is disclosed. The system for measuring the directional spectrum of waves in a fluid medium having a substantially planar surface may include a sonar system having a plurality of transducers for generating respective acoustic beams and receiving echoes from one or more range cells located substantially within the beams, at least one of the plurality of acoustic beams being angled non-orthogonally to at least one other of the plurality of acoustic beams. The method may calculate the directional spectrum associated with the waves from the received echoes.