Abstract: A loading assembly configured for providing atomic objects to an atomic object confinement apparatus is provided. The loading assembly comprises one or more ovens. Each oven (a) comprises a respective oven nozzle and (b) is configured to generate a respective atomic flux of a respective atomic species via the respective oven nozzle. The loading assembly comprises a mirror array and a magnet array configured to, when optical beams are provided to the mirror and magnet assembly, generate a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT). The 2D MOT is configured to generate a substantially collimated atomic beam from the respective atomic fluxes generated by the one or more ovens. The loading assembly further comprises a differential pumping tube defining a beam path. The differential pumping tube is configured to provide the substantially collimated atomic beam via the beam path.

Abstract: A method for cooling an atomic object is provided. The method includes controlling voltage sources to cause a confinement apparatus to confine the atomic object at a position defined by the confinement apparatus, where motion of the atomic object at the position defined by the confinement apparatus comprises contributions from one or more radial motional modes of the atomic object and contributions from one or more axial motional modes of the atomic object; and causing at least one first control signal to be provided to at least one control electrode of the plurality of control electrodes, where an oscillating potential is generated at the position defined by the confinement apparatus and configured to cause at least one radial mode of the one or more radial modes of the atomic object to couple to at least one axial mode of the one or more axial modes of the atomic object.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease or for treating a symptom of a disease, or a combination of both, the disease being caused or aggravated by microorganisms includes: treating the disease, treating the symptom of the disease, or reducing the duration of the disease, or a combination of both by administering a barrier-forming composition in a therapeutically effective amount to a surface, the surface comprising a mammal mucosa, the mammal being infected with the disease or experiencing symptoms of the disease caused or aggravated by the microorganisms. The barrier-forming composition includes an antimicrobial. Upon administering the composition, the method includes forming a barrier coating on the surface that is active to kill or neutralize microorganisms encountered by the barrier coating. A composition with an agent active for relieving symptoms of a disease is also included.

Abstract: A loading assembly configured for providing atomic objects to an atomic object confinement apparatus is provided. The loading assembly comprises one or more ovens. Each oven (a) comprises a respective oven nozzle and (b) is configured to generate a respective atomic flux of a respective atomic species via the respective oven nozzle. The loading assembly comprises a mirror array and a magnet array configured to, when optical beams are provided to the mirror and magnet assembly, generate a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT). The 2D MOT is configured to generate a substantially collimated atomic beam from the respective atomic fluxes generated by the one or more ovens. The loading assembly further comprises a differential pumping tube defining a beam path. The differential pumping tube is configured to provide the substantially collimated atomic beam via the beam path.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses configured to detect the presence of foam forming composition in various regions within a foam dispensing apparatus. In various embodiments, the foam dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing nozzle positioned between at least two container-forming layers and configured to dispense foam forming composition into a container interior formed by the container-forming layers. The sensing apparatus may be positioned external to the container interior, on an opposite side of a container-forming layer relative to the nozzle, and the sensing apparatus may be configured to detect whether foam forming composition is present within a field of view of the sensing apparatus, which encompasses a portion of the container interior. The sensing apparatus may comprise a contactless temperature sensor configured to detect the presence of foam forming composition based on the detected temperature of a surface within the field of view of the sensor apparatus.

Abstract: A control system is provided to a reductant dosing system for actively maintaining the reductant dosing system ready for use by flushing unused reductant that has crystallized at a return valve of the reductant dosing system. The control system includes a controller that can control a manner of operation of specific system hardware that is present in the reductant dosing system to flush the unused reductant from the return valve that could otherwise cause the return valve to remain a flow-blocking condition as a result of the crystallized reductant.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease or for treating a symptom of a disease, or a combination of both, the disease being caused or aggravated by microorganisms includes: treating the disease, treating the symptom of the disease, or reducing the duration of the disease, or a combination of both by administering a barrier-forming composition in a therapeutically effective amount to a surface, the surface comprising a mammal mucosa, the mammal being infected with the disease or experiencing symptoms of the disease caused or aggravated by the microorganisms. The barrier-forming composition includes an antimicrobial. Upon administering the composition, the method includes forming a barrier coating on the surface that is active to kill or neutralize microorganisms encountered by the barrier coating. A composition with an agent active for relieving symptoms of a disease is also included.

Abstract: A method for blocking, neutralizing, or killing microorganisms that cause infectious disease in a mammal prior to or during the mammal encountering a contaminated environment or item includes: identifying a contaminated environment or item, wherein the contaminated environment or item is known or expected to be contaminated with harmful viral, fungal, or bacterial microorganisms; and administering a therapeutically effective amount of a barrier-forming composition to a mucosa of the mammal prior to or during the mammal encountering the contaminated environment or item. The barrier-forming composition provides a barrier on the mucosa that inhibits the microorganisms from contacting the mucosa. Other related methods are also included.

Abstract: Apparatuses for magnetically suspending an object within a space are provided with associated methods and systems. One example apparatus includes a carrier including a chamber and a focusing member coupled to the carrier. The apparatus may further include a magnet disposed in contact with the focusing member such that an attraction surface of the magnet is exposed by the chamber to permit direct contact between the magnet and the item. The focusing member may be formed to focus a magnetic field of the magnet towards the attraction surface. Additional example apparatuses, as well as systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method for treating a disease or for treating a symptom of a disease, or a combination of both, the disease being caused or aggravated by microorganisms includes: treating the disease, treating the symptom of the disease, or reducing the duration of the disease, or a combination of both by administering a barrier-forming composition in a therapeutically effective amount to a surface, the surface comprising a mammal mucosa, the mammal being infected with the disease or experiencing symptoms of the disease caused or aggravated by the microorganisms. The barrier-forming composition includes an antimicrobial. Upon administering the composition, the method includes forming a barrier coating on the surface that is active to kill or neutralize microorganisms encountered by the barrier coating. A composition with an agent active for relieving symptoms of a disease is also included.

Abstract: A method for blocking, neutralizing, or killing microorganisms that cause infectious disease in a mammal prior to or during the mammal encountering a contaminated environment or item includes: identifying a contaminated environment or item, wherein the contaminated environment or item is known or expected to be contaminated with harmful viral, fungal, or bacterial microorganisms; and administering a therapeutically effective amount of a barrier-forming composition to a mucosa of the mammal prior to or during the mammal encountering the contaminated environment or item. The barrier-forming composition provides a barrier on the mucosa that inhibits the microorganisms from contacting the mucosa. Other related methods are also included.

Abstract: A control system is provided to a reductant dosing system for actively maintaining the reductant dosing system ready for use by flushing unused reductant that has crystallized at a return valve of the reductant dosing system. The control system includes a controller that can control a manner of operation of specific system hardware that is present in the reductant dosing system to flush the unused reductant from the return valve that could otherwise cause the return valve to remain a flow-blocking condition as a result of the crystallized reductant.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses configured to detect the presence of foam forming composition in various regions within a foam dispensing apparatus. In various embodiments, the foam dispensing apparatus comprises a dispensing nozzle positioned between at least two container-forming layers and configured to dispense foam forming composition into a container interior formed by the container-forming layers. The sensing apparatus may be positioned external to the container interior, on an opposite side of a container-forming layer relative to the nozzle, and the sensing apparatus may be configured to detect whether foam forming composition is present within a field of view of the sensing apparatus, which encompasses a portion of the container interior. The sensing apparatus may comprise a contactless temperature sensor configured to detect the presence of foam forming composition based on the detected temperature of a surface within the field of view of the sensor apparatus.

Abstract: An example cold pack assembly may include a pack and a band. The pack may include an internal cavity with a substance disposed within the internal cavity. The pack may also include a first recessed surface and a second recessed surface. The band may be disposed around the pack such that the band engages a first item and generates a first force to urge the first item into pressed engagement with the first recessed surface and the band engages a second item and generates a second force to urge the second item into pressed engagement with the second recessed surface. The band may be elastic.

Abstract: Apparatuses for magnetically suspending an object within a space are provided with associated methods and systems. One example apparatus includes a carrier including a chamber and a focusing member coupled to the carrier. The apparatus may further include a magnet disposed in contact with the focusing member such that an attraction surface of the magnet is exposed by the chamber to permit direct contact between the magnet and the item. The focusing member may be formed to focus a magnetic field of the magnet towards the attraction surface. Additional example apparatuses, as well as systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses for magnetically suspending an object within a space are provided with associated methods and systems. One example apparatus includes an apparatus for suspending an item includes a carrier including a chamber and a hook. The hook is configured to engage a rod of a shelf to removably secure the apparatus to the shelf. The magnet is disposed within the chamber. Additional example apparatuses, as well as systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses for magnetically suspending an object within a space are provided with associated methods and systems. One example apparatus includes a carrier including a chamber and a focusing member coupled to the carrier. The apparatus may further include a magnet disposed in contact with the focusing member such that an attraction surface of the magnet is exposed by the chamber to permit direct contact between the magnet and the item. The focusing member may be formed to focus a magnetic field of the magnet towards the attraction surface. Additional example apparatuses, as well as systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses for magnetically suspending an object within a space are provided with associated methods and systems. One example apparatus includes a carrier including a chamber and a focusing member coupled to the carrier. The apparatus may further include a magnet disposed in contact with the focusing member such that an attraction surface of the magnet is exposed by the chamber to permit direct contact between the magnet and the item. The focusing member may be formed to focus a magnetic field of the magnet towards the attraction surface. Additional example apparatuses, as well as systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A capacitive fluid level sensor is provided for receiving data indicative of the level of fluid remaining in a fluid container. In various embodiments, the capacitive fluid level sensor may be spaced below and a distance away from the fluid container to be measured, and may comprise a fluid level sensor and an ambient sensor, wherein the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor are coplanar. In various embodiments, the ambient sensor may be spaced a distance away from the fluid level sensor, such that electric fields generated by the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor, respectively, do not overlap. Based at least in part on capacitance levels determined by the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor, the fluid level sensor may generate data indicative of the fluid level in at least a portion of the fluid container located above the fluid level sensor.

Abstract: A capacitive fluid level sensor is provided for receiving data indicative of the level of fluid remaining in a fluid container. In various embodiments, the capacitive fluid level sensor may be spaced below and a distance away from the fluid container to be measured, and may comprise a fluid level sensor and an ambient sensor, wherein the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor are coplanar. In various embodiments, the ambient sensor may be spaced a distance away from the fluid level sensor, such that electric fields generated by the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor, respectively, do not overlap. Based at least in part on capacitance levels determined by the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor, the fluid level sensor may generate data indicative of the fluid level in at least a portion of the fluid container located above the fluid level sensor.