Abstract: A mass spectrometer system includes a vacuum manifold; an ion source positioned within the vacuum manifold for ionizing a sample; a mass analyzer for analyzing sample ions; a high vacuum pump connected to the vacuum manifold operable to maintain the pressure within the vacuum manifold at an operating pressure; and a controller configured to raise the pressure in the ion source to a sputtering pressure by supplying a flow of a sputtering gas and either reducing a speed of a high vacuum pump or isolating the ion source from the high vacuum pump; cause a conducting material to be sputtered on a surface of the ion source; and reduce the pressure in the ion source to an operating pressure by reducing the flow of the sputtering gas and either increasing the speed of the high vacuum pump or restoring connectivity between the ion source and the high vacuum pump.

Abstract: A humidification system can include a heater base, a humidification chamber, and a breathing circuit. A cartridge can be removably coupled to the heater base. The cartridge can include various sensors, probes, sensor wire connectors, heater wire connectors, and/or other features. The cartridge can include features configured to mate with corresponding features on the humidification chamber and the heater base. The cartridge includes a memory, such as an EEPROM, or other suitable storage device. When the cartridge is installed on the heater base, the memory is electrically connected to a processor and/or memory of the heater base. Various models of cartridges can be produced for use with different humidification chambers, breathing circuits, and/or therapies. A connector can be configured to couple an inspiratory conduit to an outlet port of the humidification chamber. The connector can provide a pneumatic connection to the outlet port and an electrical connection to the cartridge.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a physical location of a first Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) tag. The methods involve: analyzing timestamped tag read information acquired during multiple tag reads to determine a first physical location for the first RFID tag read by the mobile reader while moving through a facility; identifying second RFID tags from a plurality of RFID tags read by the mobile reader that are located in proximity to the first RFID tag and that are coupled to objects similar to an object to which the first RFID tag is coupled; selecting an RFID tag from the second RFID tags that has a first location confidence value associated therewith which is greater than second location confidence values associated with other RFID tags of the second RFID tags; and modifying the first physical location based on a second physical location of the RFID tag selected from the second RFID tags.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a batch mixture includes inorganic components, a non-polar carbon chain lubricant, and an organic surfactant having a polar head. The non-polar carbon chain lubricant and the organic surfactant are present in concentrations satisfying the relationship: B(C1(d+d0)+C2(f+f0))=SC, where: d0+d is an amount of non-polar carbon chain lubricant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; f0+f is an amount of organic surfactant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; B is a scaling factor; C1 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the non-polar carbon chain lubricant; and C2 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the organic surfactant. Embodiments provide that 3.6?SC?14.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a physical location of a first Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) tag. The methods involve: analyzing timestamped tag read information acquired during multiple tag reads to determine a first physical location for the first RFID tag read by the mobile reader while moving through a facility; identifying second RFID tags from a plurality of RFID tags read by the mobile reader that are located in proximity to the first RFID tag and that are coupled to objects similar to an object to which the first RFID tag is coupled; selecting an RFID tag from the second RFID tags that has a first location confidence value associated therewith which is greater than second location confidence values associated with other RFID tags of the second RFID tags; and modifying the first physical location based on a second physical location of the RFID tag selected from the second RFID tags.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a physical location of a first Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) tag. The methods involve: analyzing timestamped tag read information acquired during multiple tag reads to determine a first physical location for the first RFID tag read by the mobile reader while moving through a facility; identifying second RFID tags from a plurality of RFID tags read by the mobile reader that are located in proximity to the first RFID tag and that are coupled to objects similar to an object to which the first RFID tag is coupled; selecting an RFID tag from the second RFID tags that has a first location confidence value associated therewith which is greater than second location confidence values associated with other RFID tags of the second RFID tags; and modifying the first physical location based on a second physical location of the RFID tag selected from the second RFID tags.

Abstract: A system for controlling center-to-outer flow distribution of extrudate source material through an extrusion die suitable for production of a honeycomb extrudate, and a method for fabricating a honeycomb extrudate, are provided. Sequentially arranged first and second plates define first and second pluralities of openings through which extrudate source material may flow, wherein at least some openings of the second plurality of openings arranged at different radial positions differ in area. Relative movement between the first plate and the second plate may be effectuated to adjust overlap between corresponding openings of the plates, thereby adjusting a center-to-outer flow distribution of extrudate source material through an extrusion die arranged downstream of the first and second plates.

Abstract: A laundry container with a contaminant reduction cover. Such a laundry container has a bag with a mouth and a base and encloses a volume. The mouth of the bag is affixed to a rigid rim. A covering piece with a first edge and a second edge is provided. The first edge of the covering piece is secured to the bag adjacent the mouth, and the second edge of the covering piece is inserted into the volume. An arm is hingedly attached to the rim. A rope is threaded through the arm and through a sheath at the second edge of the covering piece.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a physical location of a first Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) tag. The methods involve: analyzing timestamped tag read information acquired during multiple tag reads to determine a first physical location for the first RFID tag read by the mobile reader while moving through a facility; identifying second RFID tags from a plurality of RFID tags read by the mobile reader that are located in proximity to the first RFID tag and that are coupled to objects similar to an object to which the first RFID tag is coupled; selecting an RFID tag from the second RFID tags that has a first location confidence value associated therewith which is greater than second location confidence values associated with other RFID tags of the second RFID tags; and modifying the first physical location based on a second physical location at the time of reads, location of the RFID tag selected from the second RFID tags.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a batch mixture includes inorganic components, a non-polar carbon chain lubricant, and an organic surfactant having a polar head. The non-polar carbon chain lubricant and the organic surfactant are present in concentrations satisfying the relationship: B(C1(d+d0)+C2(f+f0))=SC, where: d0+d is an amount of non-polar carbon chain lubricant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; f0+f is an amount of organic surfactant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; B is a scaling factor; C1 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the non-polar carbon chain lubricant; and C2 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the organic surfactant. Embodiments provide that 3.6?SC?14.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of facilitating a retail transaction. The apparatus, system and method may include obtaining, via an opt-in to an in-store wireless network, of consumer device data regarding a plurality of consumer mobile devices, the consumer data comprising device use data, prior purchase data, and geo-location data; receiving video surveillance data related to at least one consumer having the consumer device data; interrelating, from at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing at least the consumer device data and the video surveillance data, of at least the consumer device data and the video surveillance data by at least one computing processor; and unlocking, at a direction of the computing processor and pursuant to a plurality of business rules to the interrelated datas, at least one in-store protection proximate to a location indicated by the geo-location data to allow a prospective purchasing one of the consumers to access at least one previously locked in-store item.

Abstract: An apparatus, system method of providing mobile checkout. The apparatus, system and method may include obtaining, via an opt-in to an in-store wireless network, of consumer device data regarding a plurality of consumer mobile devices, the consumer data comprising device use data, prior purchase data, and GPS data, receiving video surveillance data related to at least one consumer having consumer device data, interrelating, from at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing at least the consumer device data and the video surveillance data, of at least the consumer device data and the video surveillance data by at least one computing processor, and applying, by the computing processor, of a plurality of business rules to the interrelated datas to enable at least the mobile checkout, wherein the mobile checkout includes a purchase of at least one in-store item via the consumer device associated with the purchasing one of the at least one consumer.

Abstract: A method for green-to-fired shrinkage control in honeycomb ceramic article manufacture, including: measuring, prior to mixing, the particle size distribution properties of at least one fine particle size graphite pore former ingredient of a provided ceramic source batch mixture; calculating the expected shrinkage of the green body to the fired ceramic article based on the measured particle size distribution properties of the at least one fine particle graphite pore former; making the honeycomb ceramic article; measuring the shrinkage of the resulting fired honeycomb ceramic article; and adjusting the ceramic source batch mixture in a subsequent batch material schedule, as defined herein, wherein the adjusted ceramic source batch mixture provides finished honeycomb ceramic articles having controlled green-to-fired shrinkage.

Abstract: A method for reducing shrinkage variability of aluminum titanate honeycombs includes preparing an aluminum titanate-forming batch material that includes least one alkaline earth carbonate having a particle size distribution. The particle size distribution of the at least one alkaline earth carbonate is selected based on the predicted shrinkage during sintering of the aluminum titanate honeycombs.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing porous ceramic articles is provided that includes forming a plurality of extruded green bodies from a ceramic precursor batch composition. The method also includes firing the extruded green bodies in a tunnel kiln to produce porous ceramic articles, periodically determining a shrinkage characteristic of at least one sample passing through the tunnel kiln, and adjusting a top soak temperature in the kiln if the shrinkage characteristic is outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a batch mixture includes inorganic components, a non-polar carbon chain lubricant, and an organic surfactant having a polar head. The non-polar carbon chain lubricant and the organic surfactant are present in concentrations satisfying the relationship: B(C1(d+d0)+C2(f+f0))=SC, where: d0+d is an amount of non-polar carbon chain lubricant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; f0+f is an amount of organic surfactant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; B is a scaling factor; C1 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the non-polar carbon chain lubricant; and C2 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the organic surfactant. Embodiments provide that 3.6?SC?14.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of stimulating a retail transaction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ceramic-body-forming batch materials comprising at least one pore former and inorganic batch components comprising at least one silica source having a specified particle size distribution, methods of making ceramic bodies using the same, and ceramic bodies made in accordance with said methods. The disclosure additionally relates to methods for reducing pore size variability in ceramic bodies and/or reducing process variability in making ceramic bodies.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to aluminum titanate-forming batch materials comprising inorganic batch components comprising at least one alkaline earth carbonate having a specified particle size distribution, methods of making ceramic bodies using the same, and ceramic bodies made in accordance with said methods.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of stimulating a retail transaction.