Abstract: Devices are provided that can be positioned on a user's lap and, when so positioned, provide a stable, comfortable surface to support a pet. The devices include a resilient body configured to be positioned around the user's thighs and having a central supporting surface.

Abstract: Push-cables and associated apparatus and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a push-cable assembly for use with a pipe inspection system may include a push-cable element having a proximal end and a distal end, with a spring assembly having varying flexibility coupled to or near the distal end. The spring assembly may include an outer coiled spring having a proximal and a distal end, and an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring. A camera head and/or other elements such as a cutting or jetting apparatus may be coupled at or near the distal end.

Abstract: Pipe inspection systems including a push-cable, jetter, and camera assembly are disclosed. A jetter nozzle may be configured to spin and/or propel the camera head within a pipe or other cavity. A cutter line may be attached to the camera head to clean obstructions. A sonde may be coupled to a camera head to generate magnetic field signals for use with a buried utility locator to locate a pipe or other cavity into which the camera head is deployed.

Abstract: High-bandwidth push cables configured for high speed data communication, such as that used in video signal transmission between a camera head and a cable reel or other device, are disclosed.

Abstract: Lighting device embodiments having a housing enclosing one or more interior volumes, along with a serviceable port in the housing to allow venting of one or more of the interior volumes, are disclosed. The lighting devices may further include internal venting paths to allow transfer of contaminating gases to the serviceable port, and a gas permeable pressure valve to allow transfer of contaminants from the interior of the lighting device. The pressure valve may be selectively permeable as a function of applied exterior pressure. The lighting device may also include one or more electronic circuit elements disposed in the one or more interior volumes, and a selectively permeable barrier element disposed in the housing having a first area exposed to one of the interior volumes and a second area exposed to a gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing to allow diffusion of browning contaminants from the one of the interior volumes to the gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and processes for the production of silica-stabilized ultrafine anatase titanias and which may further comprise tungsten and vanadia. The surface stabilization may be by treatment of the TiO2 particles with a low molecular weight and/or small nanoparticle form of silica such as, in preferred embodiments, a tetra(alkyl)ammonium silicate or silicic acid, which serves to efficiently maintain the anatase phase and prevent crystal growth under severe thermal and hydrothermal conditions, even in the presence of vanadia. The vanadia catalysts produced from the novel titanias have equal or improved catalytic activity for selective catalytic reduction of NOx compared to conventional vanadia supported silica-titania based catalysts. The invention is further directed to diesel emission catalytic devices comprising the novel titania-based catalyst compositions.

Abstract: Lighting device embodiments having a housing enclosing one or more interior volumes, along with a serviceable port in the housing to allow venting of one or more of the interior volumes, are disclosed. The lighting devices may further include internal venting paths to allow transfer of contaminating gases to the serviceable port, and a gas permeable pressure valve to allow transfer of contaminants from the interior of the lighting device. The pressure valve may be selectively permeable as a function of applied exterior pressure. The lighting device may also include one or more electronic circuit elements disposed in the one or more interior volumes, and a selectively permeable barrier element disposed in the housing having a first area exposed to one of the interior volumes and a second area exposed to a gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing to allow diffusion of browning contaminants from the one of the interior volumes to the gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting protein-protein interactions and/or detecting a targeted cell using a split supercharged protein reporter system are described.

Abstract: This disclosure describes novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting the TRPA1 ion channel and/or medical conditions related to TRPA1, such as pain and respiratory conditions.

Abstract: Optical ground tracking apparatus for use with buried object locators or other instruments or devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for tracking movement of a buried utility locator over a surface includes generating an output light, providing the output light to the surface, receiving a portion of the output light that is reflected from the surface, and generating information associated with a user-applied movement of the locator over the surface based at least in part on the received reflected portion of the output light.

Abstract: The invention concerns catalysts comprising (i) a clad catalyst support comprising (a) a core which comprises alumina particles and (b) about 1 to about 40 weight percent silica cladding, based on the weight of the clad catalyst support, on the surface of the core; the catalyst support having a BET surface area of greater than 20 m2/g and a porosity of at least about 0.2 cc/g; and (ii) 0.1 to 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the catalyst, of catalytically active transition metal on the surface of the clad catalyst support; wherein the catalyst support has a normalized sulfur uptake (NSU) of up to 25 ?g/m2. The invention also concerns the production and use of such catalyst.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media, and systems for maintaining an attribute of a building are described herein. One method includes monitoring an attribute of a building, predicting a behavior of the attribute based on a weather forecast, and adjusting the attribute to maintain the attribute within a comfort range relative to a set point for the attribute during a time period based on the predicted behavior.

Abstract: Optical ground tracking apparatus for use with buried object locators or other instruments or devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a magnetic field sensing buried object locator includes a ground tracking apparatus having input and output light snoot assemblies, light generation and sensing assemblies, and a processing element to receive signals from the light sensor assembly and generate location or tracking information associated with movement of the locator.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and processes for the production of silica-stabilized ultrafine anatase titanias and which may further comprise tungsten and vanadia. The surface stabilization may be by treatment of the TiO2 particles with a low molecular weight and/or small nanoparticle form of silica such as, in preferred embodiments, a tetra(alkyl)ammonium silicate or silicic acid, which serves to efficiently maintain the anatase phase and prevent crystal growth under severe thermal and hydrothermal conditions, even in the presence of vanadia. The vanadia catalysts produced from the novel titanias have equal or improved catalytic activity for selective catalytic reduction of NOx compared to conventional vanadia supported silica-titania based catalysts. The invention is further directed to diesel emission catalytic devices comprising the novel titania-based catalyst compositions.

Abstract: A balloon arrangement comprises a base member. At least one stem unit is configured for removably engaging the base member. At least one balloon hoop unit is configured for removably engaging the stem unit. The balloon hoop unit comprises a hoop portion that is configured to rotate from a substantially flat position for storage to a substantially horizontal position for supporting a balloon. The balloon hoop unit further comprises a self-sealing balloon tie portion that is configured for sealing a tail of a balloon. At least one balloon is operable to be inflated by breathable air in which the self-sealing balloon tie portion seals a tail of the balloon inflated with the breathable air. The hoop portion, in the supporting position, supports the balloon inflated with the breathable air in a position for simulating being held up by helium inflation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for detection of lung cancer, or predisposition to lung cancer, in a subject that comprises assaying a test sample of peripheral blood from the subject for a marker of DNA damage. An elevated amount of marker present in the test sample compared to control sample is indicative of lung cancer, or predisposition to lung cancer. The method can be adapted for quantitatively monitoring the efficacy of treatment of lung cancer in a subject. Markers of DNA damage include single- and/or double-stranded breaks in leukocytes, oxidative DNA damage in leukocytes, or a marker of nitrotyrosine oxidative activity (protein nitrosylation in leukocytes). This unexpected discovery of markers of systemic genotoxicity that can be tested using circulating leukocytes enables detection of lung cancer, or predisposition to lung cancer, with a relatively simple and minimally invasive assay using peripheral blood.

Abstract: Catalyst support materials, catalysts, methods of making such and uses thereof are described. Methods of making catalyst support material include combining anatase titanic slurry with i) a low molecular weight form of silica; and ii) a source of Mo to form a TiO2—MoO3-SiO2 mixture. Catalyst support material include from about 86% to about 94% weight anatase titanium dioxide; from about 0.1% to about 10% weight MoO3; and from about 0.1% to about 10% weight SiO2. Low molecular weight forms of silica include forms of silica having a volume weighted median size of less than 4 nm and average molecular weight of less than 44,000, either individually or in a combination of two or more thereof. Catalyst include such catalyst support material with from about 0.1 to about 3% weight of V2O5 and optionally from about 0.01% to about 2.5% weight P.

Abstract: Catalyst support materials, catalysts, methods of making such and uses thereof are described. Methods of making catalyst support material include combining anatase titania slurry with i) a low molecular weight form of silica; and ii) a source of Mo to form a TiO2—MoO3—SiO2 mixture. Catalyst support material include from about 86% to about 94% weight anatase titanium dioxide; from about 0.1% to about 10% weight MoO3; and from about 0.1% to about 10% weight SiO2. Low molecular weight forms of silica include forms of silica having a volume weighted median size of less than 4 nm and average molecular weight of less than 44,000, either individually or in a combination of two or more thereof. Catalyst include such catalyst support material with from about 0.1 to about 3% weight of V2O5 and optionally from about 0.01% to about 2.5% weight P.

Abstract: The invention concerns catalysts comprising (i) a clad catalyst support comprising (a) a core which comprises alumina particles and (b) about 1 to about 40 weight percent silica cladding, based on the weight of the clad catalyst support, on the surface of the core; the catalyst support having a BET surface area of greater than 20 m2/g and a porosity of at least about 0.2 cc/g; and (ii) 0.1 to 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the catalyst, of catalytically active transition metal on the surface of the clad catalyst support; wherein the catalyst support has a normalized sulfur uptake (NSU) of up to 25 ?g/m2. The invention also concerns the production and use of such catalyst.

Abstract: A balloon arrangement comprises a base member. At least one stem unit is configured for removably engaging the base member. At least one balloon hoop unit is configured for removably engaging the stem unit. The balloon hoop unit comprises a hoop portion that is configured to rotate from a substantially flat position for storage to a substantially horizontal position for supporting a balloon. The balloon hoop unit further comprises a self-sealing balloon tie portion that is configured for sealing a tail of a balloon. At least one balloon is operable to be inflated by breathable air in which the self-sealing balloon tie portion seals a tail of the balloon inflated with the breathable air. The hoop portion, in the supporting position, supports the balloon inflated with the breathable air in a position for simulating being held up by helium inflation.