Abstract: A protected sample collection media for use in a sample collection device includes a piece of porous sample collection media having a first major side and an opposing second major side; and a protective sheath fully covering the first major side and the second major side. The protective sheath has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is removable without removing the second portion. The second portion forms a tab constructed to be gripped by hand. The protected sample collection media may be part of a system including a sample collection device. The system may be provided as a kit including instructions for use of the kit.

Abstract: A sample collection device includes a housing including an exhalation portion and a coupling portion. The coupling portion can be coupled with/to a sample collection tube. An airflow path extends through the housing. The device further includes porous sample collection media partially disposed between within the housing and arranged to occlude the airflow path. The porous sample collection includes nonwoven material and may include polylactic acid, polypropylene, or a combination thereof. The housing can be a single piece, part, or component, or can be multiple pieces, parts, components, or portions. In an embodiment of a two-piece housing, the first part includes an exhalation piece (e.g., a mouthpiece or nosepiece) and the second part includes a coupling end constructed for coupling with a sample collection tube.

Abstract: A sample collection system includes a housing comprising a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being movable relative to one another; porous sample collection media disposed along an airflow path in the first part; and an assay disposed on the second part and constructed to receive a sample captured by the porous sample collection media. The first and second parts are rotatably movable relative to one another. Moving the first and second parts relative to one another aligns the porous sample collection media with at least a portion of the assay. The assay may be a lateral flow assay or a vertical flow assay. The media is constructed to collect a sample from exhalation airflow. A collected sample may be eluted from the media onto the assay using a liquid.

Abstract: A sample collection device includes a planar sheet of material having opposing edges and a first major surface and an opposing second major surface, the planar sheet of material having at least two fold lines. A porous sample collection media has at least three edges and opposing major surfaces, at least one edge is fixed to the first major surface of the planar sheet of material. The planar sheet of material is configured to form an airflow channel by fixing the opposing edges together, the airflow channel extends from a mouthpiece end to an air outlet end. The porous sample collection media substantially occludes the airflow channel between the mouthpiece end and the air outlet end.

Abstract: A sample collection system includes a housing comprising a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being movable relative to one another; porous sample collection media disposed along an airflow path in the first part; and an assay disposed on the second part and constructed to receive a sample captured by the porous sample collection media. The first and second parts may be slidably movable relative to one another. The first and second parts may be rotatably movable relative to one another. Moving the first and second parts relative to one another aligns the porous sample collection media with at least a portion of the assay. The assay may be a lateral flow assay or a vertical flow assay. The media is constructed to collect a sample from exhalation airflow. A collected sample may be eluted from the media onto the assay using a liquid.

Abstract: A sample collection device includes a housing extending from a mouthpiece end to an air outlet end, the housing defining an airflow channel from the mouthpiece end to the air outlet end, the mouthpiece end configured to receive an exhalation airflow. A porous sample collection media is fixed within the housing and along the airflow channel. A mouthpiece end cap is replaceably coupled to the mouthpiece end and an air outlet end cap is replaceably coupled to the air outlet end.

Abstract: Spray-dried flavor compositions are provided. The stable spray-dried flavor compositions include a water-soluble matrix including a filler; at least about 1% of a fat component encapsulated in the matrix, based on the total weight of the matrix; and a combination of soluble rice bran and oat oil, the combination providing emulsification and improved antioxidant activity for the spray-dried flavor compositions.

Abstract: Stable spray-dried particles are provided. The stable spray-dried particles include a water-soluble matrix including from about 5% to about 30% emulsifier; from about 20% to about 75% filler; and from 20% to about 50% mono, di and trisaccharides, based on the total weight of the matrix; and at least one active component encapsulated in the matrix. The emulsifier is dextrin and the filler is potato maltodextrin.

Abstract: Stable spray-dried particles are provided. The stable spray-dried particles include a water-soluble foodstuff matrix including from about 0.1% to about 60% emulsifier and from about 40% to about 99.9% filler, based on the total weight of the foodstuff matrix; and at least one active component encapsulated in the foodstuff matrix. The emulsifier is potato protein and the filler is selected from the group consisting of glucose syrup, soluble fibers and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of preparing spray-dried flavor-containing particles, comprising the addition of flavor to an aqueous, sugar-free matrix and spray-drying the resulting blend, the matrix comprising an emulsifier, a film former and at least one metal salt, selected from the ferrous, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of citric, gluconic and tartaric acids. The method allows the preparation of highly-stable, oxidation- and moisture resistant flavor particles.

Abstract: A method of preparing spray-dried flavor-containing particles, comprising the addition of flavor to an aqueous, sugar-free matrix and spray-drying the resulting blend, the matrix comprising an emulsifier, a film former and at least one metal salt, selected from the ferrous, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of citric, gluconic and tartaric acids. The method allows the preparation of highly-stable, oxidation- and moisture resistant flavor particles.

Abstract: This application discloses tools to build a topology library including one or more topologies, each of which includes a description of multiple transistors, their parameters, and associated connectivity, and also includes rules or criteria to be utilized in downstream design flow processes. The tools can analyze a circuit design describing an electronic device to recognize a subset of transistors in the electronic device has a pre-defined circuit topology, and identify layout rules or simulation criteria for the transistors in the recognized circuit topology. The tools can utilize the layout rules to automatically generate a portion of a physical design layout corresponding to the recognized topology in the circuit design. The tools also can compare results from a simulation of the circuit design that correspond to the transistors in the recognized circuit topology to the simulation criteria to determine whether the transistors in the recognized circuit topology meet design specifications.

Abstract: This application discloses tools to build a topology library including one or more topologies, each of which includes a description of multiple transistors, their parameters, and associated connectivity, and also includes rules or criteria to be utilized in downstream design flow processes. The tools can analyze a circuit design describing an electronic device to recognize a subset of transistors in the electronic device has a pre-defined circuit topology, and identify layout rules or simulation criteria for the transistors in the recognized circuit topology. The tools can utilize the layout rules to automatically generate a portion of a physical design layout corresponding to the recognized topology in the circuit design. The tools also can compare results from a simulation of the circuit design that correspond to the transistors in the recognized circuit topology to the simulation criteria to determine whether the transistors in the recognized circuit topology meet design specifications.

Abstract: A child's active transportation device comprising: a steering rod permanently or removably affixed to a wheel base, said wheel base having a platform and mechanism or device for affixing a plurality of wheels to said wheel base, and also having a plurality of wheels and associated equipment and method of use.

Abstract: A child's active transportation device comprising: a steering rod permanently or removably affixed to a wheel base, said wheel base having a platform and mechanism or device for affixing a plurality of wheels to said wheel base, and also having a plurality of wheels and associated equipment and method of use.

Abstract: A clothesline assembly is disclosed comprising a housing containing a take-up reel about which a clothesline is wound. The clothesline can be extended from and retracted into the housing. The assembly further includes a clip storage compartment through which the clothesline extends. Clothing clips are stored in the compartment and the line extends through the clips, such that when the clothesline is extended, the clips are already suspended from the clothesline.

Abstract: A wristband mountable accessory is provided which includes a body, a flashlight in said body, and an upper compartment sized and shaped to hold medications (such as tablets, pills, lozenges, etc.) and paper upon which medical and/or emergency information can be written. Mounting wings extend from opposite sides of the body to enable the accessory to be mounted to a wristband by threading the wristband through the mounting wings. The mounting wings are provided with sizing pegs so that the accessory can accommodate a variety of sizes (widths) of wristbands.

Abstract: Video surveillance data is received from multiple disparate, unaffiliated locations at which various items are offered for sale. Based on the content of the video surveillance data, consumer preference behavior is characterized with respect to at least some of the items. The data is consolidated and can be made available for analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, program and system for processing product returns. In response to a single input of a returned item's identification (i.e. scanning a serial number), the invention matches the returned item with a return authorization. This authorization is created if the returned item meets specified criteria. The invention then automatically updates inventory files to include the returned item, designating the item as a return that is not available for resale. The invention also creates a return-to-manufacturer order and an account receivable for warranty exchange. In one embodiment of the present invention, a manufacturer file is also automatically updated to allow the manufacturer to identify the returned item as well as the source of the return.

Abstract: A method, program, and system for creating mass shipping orders is provided. The invention includes receiving an order to be sent to a plurality of specified locations, wherein all of the locations are to receive the same order contents. A shipping address for each of the plurality of specified locations is retrieved from a database. A shipping order template is created, wherein the shipping order template specifies the contents of the order and has a blank field for designating a delivery address to which the order should be sent. A separate shipping order is then created for each of the plurality of shipping addresses, wherein a copy of the shipping order template is created and a delivery addresses is filled into the blank field, wherein the separate shipping orders for the plurality of delivery addresses all have the same contents.