Abstract: A probiotic composition includes microbes and one or more barrier materials including, on a dry weight basis: about 40% to about 99% (w/w) lipid, and about 0% to about 59% (w/w) of: a carbohydrate, a protein, a polymer, and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A battery-free flushometer includes a combination of a power generation system, a power storage system, and/or a power management system to enable the flushometer to operate without the need for connection to an external power source, changing spent batteries, or recharging spent batteries using an external power source, as well as structures supporting this functionality. The flushometer may include a valve assembly. The power generation system may include a hydraulic turbine assembly positioned downstream of the valve assembly and configured to generate power using the water discharged through the outlet, and/or a photovoltaic cell configured to generate electrical power by converting light energy to the electrical power. The power storage system is electrically connected to the power generation system and includes a power storage device to receive and store electrical power generated by the power generation system. The stored electrical power can be used to actuate the valve assembly.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for storage and delivery of a nutraceutical (e.g., lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin, macronutrient, probiotics) with one or more of the following advantages: 1) low organic solvent content; 2) low water activity; 3) selective release based on pH; 4) improved shelf-life and resistance to degradation; and 5) improved compatibility with other nutraceutical products; 6) stability in an aqueous liquid (e.g., at ambient temperature and/or at boiling temperatures); 7) enhanced protection from light; and 8) tunable properties including size, loading, dose, interactions with the surrounding environment, and release conditions.

Abstract: An automatic flush actuator unit is configured for connection to a first pressure-assist flush tank having a first mounting structure and a second pressure assist flush tank having a second mounting structure different from the first flush tank. The unit includes a housing for connection to the first and second flush tanks, having first and second sets of mounting holes for connection to the the first flush tank and the second flush tank, a motor, an actuator moveable to actuate a flush valve, and a gear assembly to transfer power from the motor to the actuator. The unit may include an infrared (IR) flush detection sensor that operates in a single-pulse mode until an object is detected, and then initiate a multi-pulse mode and transmit pulses of IR light to detect an activation condition, then initiating an asynchronous communication algorithm to trigger a flushing function.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a sensor comprising a first transmitter, a second transmitter, and a receiver. The first transmitter may be configured to emit first light via a first diffractive or refractive material, and the second transmitter may be configured to emit second light via a second diffractive or refractive material. The first diffractive or refractive material and/or the second diffractive or refractive material may be configured to deflect and/or shape light to focus the light in a detection zone. Light reflected by an intended target may be received (e.g., detected) by the receiver. Upon detecting a target, the sensor may cause a device to perform an action. The sensor may be deployed in a plurality of devices, including Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices that have WiFi capabilities. The WiFi capabilities may comprise a bridge-less architecture that allows the IoT devices to communicate with cloud services for remote monitoring purposes.

Abstract: A method of insulating an object, such as a pipe for carrying crude oil or natural gas, includes providing an insulating fluid comprising a base fluid and a viscosifying agent, wherein the viscosifying agent comprises silicon dioxide. The base fluid is optionally a non-aqueous base fluid. The method further includes the steps of adding the insulating fluid to a container, and placing the object in the container. The object which is insulated can be located remotely or subsea.

Abstract: An electronic messaging system and method with reduced traceability by separation of display of a media component of message content and header information. An electronic message having an identifier of a recipient and a message content including an image media component is received at a server from a sending user device at which a display for associating the media component with the electronic message is provided without displaying the identifier of a recipient with the media component such that a single screen capture of the identifier of a recipient and the media component is prevented. The electronic message including an identifier of a sending user is transmitted to a recipient user device at which a display presenting the media component is provided without displaying the identifier of a sending user such that a single screen capture of both the identifier of a sending user and the media component is prevented.

Abstract: An electronic messaging system that receives an original electronic message from a sender direct access client associated with a sender, the original electronic message including header and message information and being directed to a recipient. The electronic messaging system deletes the header information after a first predetermined time after the message information is accessed by the recipient, deletes the message information after deleting the header information, and generates a reply ID correlated with the sender of the electronic message in at least one of a database, a lookup table and an entry in a file system. The reply ID enables the electronic messaging system to direct a reply electronic message back to the sender, the reply ID being part of the header information of the original electronic message.

Abstract: A hand sanitizing device described herein allows users to sanitize and/or disinfect their hands by bathing them in ultraviolet light. The hand sanitizing device may comprise a cabinet that comprises one or more cavities for a user's hands. The one or more cavities may comprise a sensor to detect a user's hands, a controller to send signals to a plurality of ultraviolet lights, and a plurality of ultraviolet lights. Based on a determination that the user has placed their hands in the one or more cavities, the plurality of ultraviolet lights may be illuminated to sanitize and/or disinfectant the user's hands. When the user has removed their hands from the one or more cavities, the plurality of ultraviolet lights may be turned off. By using ultraviolet light, the hand sanitizing device may reduce the spread of infectious diseases and waste consumption associated with bathroom usage.

Abstract: An electronic messaging system and method with reduced traceability by separation of display of a media component of message content and header information. An electronic message having an identifier of a recipient and a message content including an image media component is received at a server from a sending user device at which a display for associating the media component with the electronic message is provided without displaying the identifier of a recipient with the media component such that a single screen capture of the identifier of a recipient and the media component is prevented. The electronic message including an identifier of a sending user is transmitted to a recipient user device at which a display presenting the media component is provided without displaying the identifier of a sending user such that a single screen capture of both the identifier of a sending user and the media component is prevented.

Abstract: An electronic messaging system that receives an original electronic message from a sender direct access client associated with a sender, the original electronic message including header and message information and being directed to a recipient. The electronic messaging system deletes the header information after a first predetermined time after the message information is accessed by the recipient, deletes the message information after deleting the header information, and generates a reply ID correlated with the sender of the electronic message in at least one of a database, a lookup table and an entry in a file system. The reply ID enables the electronic messaging system to direct a reply electronic message back to the sender, the reply ID being part of the header information of the original electronic message.

Abstract: A frozen food appliance and related method of making a frozen food product. A rotational drive assembly configured in an axial alignment using a direct drive to produce rotational movement of a blade element to contact a frozen food precursor in a frozen food container associated with the frozen food appliance where the rotational drive assembly omits rotational speed modifying gears and transmissions positioned between a drive motor and the blade element. In another aspect, a rotational drive assembly may be kept in axial alignment with a frozen food container via a multi portioned container mount having a float connector.

Abstract: A frozen food appliance and related method of making a frozen food product. A rotational drive assembly configured in an axial alignment using a direct drive to produce rotational movement of a blade element to contact a frozen food precursor in a frozen food container associated with the frozen food appliance where the rotational drive assembly omits rotational speed modifying gears and transmissions positioned between a drive motor and the blade element. In another aspect, a rotational drive assembly may be kept in axial alignment with a frozen food container via a multi portioned container mount having a float connector.

Abstract: An electronic messaging system and method with reduced traceability by separation of display of a media component of message content and header information. An electronic message having an identifier of a recipient and a message content including an image media component is received at a server from a sending user device at which a display for associating the media component with the electronic message is provided without displaying the identifier of a recipient with the media component such that a single screen capture of the identifier of a recipient and the media component is prevented. The electronic message including an identifier of a sending user is transmitted to a recipient user device at which a display presenting the media component is provided without displaying the identifier of a sending user such that a single screen capture of both the identifier of a sending user and the media component is prevented.

Abstract: A frozen food appliance and related method of making a frozen food product. A rotational drive assembly configured in an axial alignment using a direct drive to produce rotational movement of a blade element to contact a frozen food precursor in a frozen food container associated with the frozen food appliance where the rotational drive assembly omits rotational speed modifying gears and transmissions positioned between a drive motor and the blade element. In another aspect, a rotational drive assembly may be kept in axial alignment with a frozen food container via a multi portioned container mount having a float connector.

Abstract: A frozen food appliance and related method of making a frozen food product. A rotational drive assembly configured in an axial alignment using a direct drive to produce rotational movement of a blade element to contact a frozen food precursor in a frozen food container associated with the frozen food appliance where the rotational drive assembly omits rotational speed modifying gears and transmissions positioned between a drive motor and the blade element. In another aspect, a rotational drive assembly may be kept in axial alignment with a frozen food container via a multi portioned container mount having a float connector.