Abstract: The present invention relates to a needle assembly comprising a needle, a needle housing, wherein the needle housing comprises at least one aligning component. The present invention also relates to a needle receiving assembly comprising a fluid conducting element and a fluid conducting element housing, wherein the fluid conducting element housing comprises at least one aligning component. Additionally, the present invention relates to connection assemblies, samplers and systems that can comprise the needle assembly and the needle receiving assembly.

Abstract: A needle receiving assembly includes a fluid conducting element housing, a sealing element configured to receive a needle, and a fluid conducting element. The needle receiving assembly is configured to connect to a needle of a needle assembly. The fluid conducting element housing comprises an aligning component configured to contact a needle housing of the needle assembly and to increase alignment between the needle and the needle receiving assembly. The fluid conducting element housing comprises a lateral protruding portion including an inner lateral surface that laterally surrounds a cavity of the fluid conducting element housing and a central protruding portion protruding beyond a base of the fluid conducting element housing and the central protruding portion. The aligning component comprises an aligning inner surface formed by a portion of the inner lateral surface of the lateral protruding portion.

Abstract: A device can include one or more inputs, which, in operation, receive one or more signals indicative of toilet-lid positions and one or more signals indicative of user-toilet proximity; and control circuitry coupled to the one or more inputs. The control circuitry can, in operation, determine a position of a toilet lid based on the one or more signals indicative of toilet-lid positions; respond to a determination that the toilet lid is in a closed position by entering a power-save mode of operation; and respond to a determination that the toilet lid is not in a closed position by selectively generating, based on the one or more signals indicative of user-toilet proximity, toilet-lid-actuator control signals to cause a toilet-lid-actuator to move the toilet lid toward a closed position. Related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A device can include one or more inputs, which, in operation, receive one or more signals indicative of toilet-lid positions and one or more signals indicative of user-toilet proximity; and control circuitry coupled to the one or more inputs. The control circuitry can, in operation, determine a position of a toilet lid based on the one or more signals indicative of toilet-lid positions; respond to a determination that the toilet lid is in a closed position by entering a power-save mode of operation; and respond to a determination that the toilet lid is not in a closed position by selectively generating, based on the one or more signals indicative of user-toilet proximity, toilet-lid-actuator control signals to cause a toilet-lid-actuator to move the toilet lid toward a closed position. Related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A device can include one or more inputs, which, in operation, receive one or more signals indicative of toilet-lid positions and one or more signals indicative of user-toilet proximity; and control circuitry coupled to the one or more inputs. The control circuitry can, in operation, determine a position of a toilet lid based on the one or more signals indicative of toilet-lid positions; respond to a determination that the toilet lid is in a closed position by entering a power-save mode of operation; and respond to a determination that the toilet lid is not in a closed position by selectively generating, based on the one or more signals indicative of user-toilet proximity, toilet-lid-actuator control signals to cause a toilet-lid-actuator to move the toilet lid toward a closed position. Related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A device can include one or more inputs, which, in operation, receive one or more signals indicative of toilet-lid positions and one or more signals indicative of user-toilet proximity; and control circuitry coupled to the one or more inputs. The control circuitry can, in operation, determine a position of a toilet lid based on the one or more signals indicative of toilet-lid positions; respond to a determination that the toilet lid is in a closed position by entering a power-save mode of operation; and respond to a determination that the toilet lid is not in a closed position by selectively generating, based on the one or more signals indicative of user-toilet proximity, toilet-lid-actuator control signals to cause a toilet-lid-actuator to move the toilet lid toward a closed position. Related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for measuring and controlling the methanol concentration in a methanol fuel cell such as a direct methanol fuel cell or fuel cell stack are disclosed. Processors and memory storage containing programs which execute instructions to control the methanol concentration in the fuel cell or fuel cell stack are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a needle assembly comprising a needle, a needle housing, wherein the needle housing comprises at least one aligning component. The present invention also relates to a needle receiving assembly comprising a fluid conducting element and a fluid conducting element housing, wherein the fluid conducting element housing comprises at least one aligning component. Additionally, the present invention relates to connection assemblies, samplers and systems that can comprise the needle assembly and the needle receiving assembly.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a sole and an upper. The sole comprises a lower sole member and an upper sole member. The lower sole member includes a plurality of sipes and a longitudinal cavity. The longitudinal cavity is at least in a sole midfoot region and extends downwardly from a top surface of the lower sole member. The plurality of sipes extend upwardly from the bottom surface of the lower sole member and intersect the longitudinal cavity such that the plurality of sipes and the longitudinal cavity combine to define a plurality of through openings. The upper sole member is within the cavity and covers the plurality of through openings.

Abstract: A device can include one or more inputs, which, in operation, receive one or more signals indicative of toilet-lid positions and one or more signals indicative of user-toilet proximity; and control circuitry coupled to the one or more inputs. The control circuitry can, in operation, determine a position of a toilet lid based on the one or more signals indicative of toilet-lid positions; respond to a determination that the toilet lid is in a closed position by entering a power-save mode of operation; and respond to a determination that the toilet lid is not in a closed position by selectively generating, based on the one or more signals indicative of user-toilet proximity, toilet-lid-actuator control signals to cause a toilet-lid-actuator to move the toilet lid toward a closed position. Related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a sole and an upper. The sole comprises a lower sole member and an upper sole member. The lower sole member includes a plurality of sipes and a longitudinal cavity. The longitudinal cavity is at least in a sole midfoot region and extends downwardly from a top surface of the lower sole member. The plurality of sipes extend upwardly from the bottom surface of the lower sole member and intersect the longitudinal cavity such that the plurality of sipes and the longitudinal cavity combine to define a plurality of through openings. The upper sole member is within the cavity and covers the plurality of through openings.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a sole and an upper. The sole comprises a lower sole member and an upper sole member. The lower sole member includes a plurality of sipes and a longitudinal cavity. The longitudinal cavity is at least in a sole midfoot region and extends downwardly from a top surface of the lower sole member. The plurality of sipes extend upwardly from the bottom surface of the lower sole member and intersect the longitudinal cavity such that the plurality of sipes and the longitudinal cavity combine to define a plurality of through openings. The upper sole member is within the cavity and covers the plurality of through openings.

Abstract: Methods for measuring and controlling the methanol concentration in a methanol fuel cell such as a direct methanol fuel cell or fuel cell stack are disclosed. Processors and memory storage containing programs which execute instructions to control the methanol concentration in the fuel cell or fuel cell stack are also disclosed.

Abstract: A shoe includes a sole, an upper, and a welt. The upper is operatively secured to the sole. The sole and upper define a seam. The seam has a seam toe region, a seam heel region, a seam lateral side region, a seam ball region, and a seam instep region. The welt is secured to at least one of the sole and the upper. The welt covers the seam toe region, the seam lateral side region, the seam heel region, and the seam instep region. The welt does not cover the seam ball region.

Abstract: A toilet closure apparatus adapted to mount on a toilet having a toilet seat, a toilet lid, and a tank assembly includes a flushing mechanism configured to trigger a flushing event, a cable assembly coupled to the flushing mechanism having a cable, and a release mechanism operatively coupled to the cable. Movement of the flushing mechanism can axially move the cable to actuate the release mechanism to rotate the toilet lid from an open position to a closed position. The release mechanism can include one of a cam mechanism, a latch mechanism, and a ball detent mechanism.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a sole, an upper, and a welt. The upper is operatively secured to the sole. The sole and upper define a seam. The seam has a seam toe region, a seam heel region, a seam lateral side region, a seam ball region, and a seam instep region. The welt is secured to at least one of the sole and the upper. The welt covers the seam toe region, the seam lateral side region, the seam heel region, and the seam instep region. The welt does not cover the seam ball region.

Abstract: A shoe comprises a sole, an upper, and a welt. The upper is operatively secured to the sole. The sole and upper define a seam. The seam has a seam toe region, a seam heel region, a seam lateral side region, a seam ball region, and a seam instep region. The welt is secured to at least one of the sole and the upper. The welt covers the seam toe region, the seam lateral side region, the seam heel region, and the seam instep region. The welt does not cover the seam ball region.