Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.

Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.

Abstract: Portable water conditioning systems include a water conditioner having a plurality of conditioning stages including, in a direction of flow of the water through the water conditioner, a reverse osmosis stage having a reverse osmosis membrane, and a deionizing stage. A first sensor is configured to detect a first condition of the water before the reverse osmosis stage and a second sensor configured to detect a second condition of the water after the reverse osmosis stage. The conditions each include (i) a level of total dissolved solids of the water and (ii) temperature of the water. A controller is in communication with the sensors and configured to determine of a percent of dissolved solids that are rejected by the reverse osmosis membrane based on the conditions when backpressure on the reverse osmosis stage is at a known state.

Abstract: A purification device is provided that includes a porous container, purification media retained in the porous container, and a flow controller integral to the porous container. A purification device is also provided that includes a porous elastic container, purification media, and a flow controller. The porous elastic container has a pocket formed therein. The purification media is compressibly retained in the porous elastic container. The flow controller is elastically retained in the pocket of the porous elastic container.

Abstract: Portable water conditioning systems include a water conditioner having a plurality of conditioning stages including, in a direction of flow of the water through the water conditioner, a reverse osmosis stage having a reverse osmosis membrane, and a deionizing stage. A first sensor is configured to detect a first condition of the water before the reverse osmosis stage and a second sensor configured to detect a second condition of the water after the reverse osmosis stage. The conditions each include (i) a level of total dissolved solids of the water and (ii) temperature of the water. A controller is in communication with the sensors and configured to determine of a percent of dissolved solids that are rejected by the reverse osmosis membrane based on the conditions when backpressure on the reverse osmosis stage is at a known state.

Abstract: A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes a water conditioner, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The water conditioner has a plurality of conditioning stages that condition water. The plurality of conditioning stages include, in a direction of flow of the water through the water conditioner, a reverse osmosis stage and a deionizing stage. The first sensor detects a first condition of the water before the reverse osmosis stage. The second sensor detects a second condition of the water after the reverse osmosis stage. The controller is in communication with the first and second sensors and determines a health status of the reverse osmosis stage based the first and second conditions. The first and second conditions each include a level of total dissolved solids of the water.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly analyzing cell containing samples, for example to identify morphology or to localize and quantitate biomarkers are disclosed.

Abstract: A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes an incoming water inlet; a reverse osmosis stage in fluid communication with the incoming water inlet, the reverse osmosis stage having a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet; a diversion device having a diversion valve, the diversion valve placing the concentrate outlet in fluid communication with a waste water outlet; a deionizing stage in fluid communication with a pure water outlet; a bypass valve configured to selectively place the permeate outlet in fluid communication with one or more of the waste water outlet, the deionizing stage, and the pure water outlet; and a controller configured to control the diversion device and the bypass valve to provide water at the pure water outlet of a desired condition.

Abstract: A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes an incoming water inlet; a reverse osmosis stage in fluid communication with the incoming water inlet, the reverse osmosis stage having a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet; a diversion device having a diversion valve, the diversion valve placing the concentrate outlet in fluid communication with a waste water outlet; a deionizing stage in fluid communication with a pure water outlet; a bypass valve configured to selectively place the permeate outlet in fluid communication with one or more of the waste water outlet, the deionizing stage, and the pure water outlet; and a controller configured to control the diversion device and the bypass valve to provide water at the pure water outlet of a desired condition.

Abstract: An approach is provided for detecting false positive slippery road reports. For example, the approach involves receiving a slippery road report from a vehicle. The slippery road report, for instance, indicates that a slippery road event is detected at a location based on sensor information collected by the vehicle. The approach also involves map matching the location of the slippery road report to the mapping data to evaluate a proximity of the location to at least one geographic feature that is designated as an area where driver behavior is expected to be at least one cause of the slippery road event. The approach further involves classifying the slippery road report as the slippery road false positive report based on the evaluation.

Abstract: A purification device is provided that includes a porous container, purification media retained in the porous container, and a flow controller integral to the porous container. A purification device is also provided that includes a porous elastic container, purification media, and a flow controller. The porous elastic container has a pocket formed therein. The purification media is compressibly retained in the porous elastic container. The flow controller is elastically retained in the pocket of the porous elastic container.

Abstract: A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes a water conditioner, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The water conditioner has a plurality of conditioning stages that condition water. The plurality of conditioning stages include, in a direction of flow of the water through the water conditioner, a reverse osmosis stage and a deionizing stage. The first sensor detects a first condition of the water before the reverse osmosis stage. The second sensor detects a second condition of the water after the reverse osmosis stage. The controller is in communication with the first and second sensors and determines a health status of the reverse osmosis stage based the first and second conditions. The first and second conditions each include a level of total dissolved solids of the water.

Abstract: A purification device is provided that includes a porous container, purification media retained in the porous container, and a flow controller integral to the porous container. A purification device is also provided that includes a porous elastic container, purification media, and a flow controller. The porous elastic container has a pocket formed therein. The purification media is compressibly retained in the porous elastic container. The flow controller is elastically retained in the pocket of the porous elastic container.

Abstract: A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes a water conditioner, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The water conditioner has a plurality of conditioning stages that condition water. The plurality of conditioning stages include, in a direction of flow of the water through the water conditioner, a reverse osmosis stage and a deionizing stage. The first sensor detects a first condition of the water before the reverse osmosis stage. The second sensor detects a second condition of the water after the reverse osmosis stage. The controller is in communication with the first and second sensors and determines a health status of the reverse osmosis stage based the first and second conditions. The first and second conditions each include a level of total dissolved solids of the water.

Abstract: An approach is provided for determining at least one distribution of a plurality of current values for at least one dynamic content parameter associated with a plurality of points of interest within a predetermined proximity to at least one target point of interest. The approach involves determining at least one distribution mean and at least one distribution standard deviation for the at least one distribution of the plurality of current values. The approach also involves determining at least one set of historical values for the at least one dynamic content parameter for the at least one target point of interest. The approach further involves determining at least one estimated current value for the at least one dynamic content parameter associated with the at least one target point of interest based, at least in part, on the at least one set of historical values, the at least one distribution mean, and the at least one distribution standard deviation.

Abstract: A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes an incoming water inlet; a reverse osmosis stage in fluid communication with the incoming water inlet, the reverse osmosis stage having a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet; a diversion device having a diversion valve, the diversion valve placing the concentrate outlet in fluid communication with a waste water outlet; a deionizing stage in fluid communication with a pure water outlet; a bypass valve configured to selectively place the permeate outlet in fluid communication with one or more of the waste water outlet, the deionizing stage, and the pure water outlet; and a controller configured to control the diversion device and the bypass valve to provide water at the pure water outlet of a desired condition.

Abstract: An approach is provided for publishing a road event message according to a hysteresis. For example, the approach involves processing a road report to determine a road event associated with a geographic location and a confidence metric of the road event. The approach also involves initiating a publishing of a road event message to indicate the road event for the geographic location based on determining that the confidence metric is greater than an upper threshold of a hysteresis. The approach further involves processing one or more other road reports to update the confidence metric of the road event. The approach further involves initiating a cancelling of the road event message based on determining that the updated confidence metric is less than a lower threshold of the hysteresis.

Abstract: A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes an incoming water inlet; a reverse osmosis stage in fluid communication with the incoming water inlet, the reverse osmosis stage having a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet; a diversion device having a diversion valve, the diversion valve placing the concentrate outlet in fluid communication with a waste water outlet; a deionizing stage in fluid communication with a pure water outlet; a bypass valve configured to selectively place the permeate outlet in fluid communication with one or more of the waste water outlet, the deionizing stage, and the pure water outlet; and a controller configured to control the diversion device and the bypass valve to provide water at the pure water outlet of a desired condition.

Abstract: Modular pure water systems are provided that have a tank and a cover assembly, wherein the tank and cover assembly are configured to removably receive therebetween one or more expansion tubes in a fluid tight manner to allow for selective volume expansion of the pure water system. Also provided are purification media bags for pure water systems that have a shape, construction, and/or material that mitigates the flow of water between the outer wall of the bag and an inner wall of the pure water systems.