Abstract: An insect barrier strip that prevents targeted insects from climbing up a targeted tree. The insect barrier strip may contain insecticides that the targeted insects will encounter and kill. The insect barrier strip may be made of material(s) with a low coefficient of friction to provide a difficult surface for insects to traverse, that are flexible/expandable to enable the insect barrier strip to be wrapped around a tree trunk and expand over time as the trunk grows, are chemical resistant so insecticides will not degrade, and are capable of withstanding a wide range of environmental conditions. The insect barrier strip may include an overhang to make it more difficult for the targeted insects to get past. The insect barrier strip may include a trough that the insecticide can be located in or clips that insecticide can be secured to. A wick can be utilized to hold the insecticide.

Abstract: A beach umbrella post having a suction system whereby the post of the beach umbrella is configured to suction sand when inserted into a soft surface via a plunger enabling the beach umbrella to anchor without the use of external weights or digging tools. The beach umbrella post with integrated suction also includes a release mechanism to expel sand from the inner compartment when use is ended.

Abstract: Devices and methods for enhancing the operations of fluid systems are provided. For example, this document provides variable-elevation drop tubes that are well suited for use with medical fluid reservoirs. While the variable-elevation drop tubes provided herein are described in the context of a medical fluid system, such as an extracorporeal blood flow circuit, it should be understood that the devices and methods provided herein are not limited to such contexts.

Abstract: A beach umbrella post having a suction system whereby the post of the beach umbrella is configured to suction sand when inserted into a soft surface via a plunger enabling the beach umbrella to anchor without the use of external weights or digging tools. The beach umbrella post with integrated suction also includes a release mechanism to expel sand from the inner compartment when use is ended.

Abstract: Devices and methods for enhancing the operations of fluid systems are provided. For example, this document provides variable-elevation drop tubes that are well suited for use with medical fluid reservoirs. While the variable-elevation drop tubes provided herein are described in the context of a medical fluid system, such as an extracorporeal blood flow circuit, it should be understood that the devices and methods provided herein are not limited to such contexts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device that may monitor the patient's reaction to a particular drug dose, then adjust that dosage for the patient may address some of these concerns. By incorporating this system into a portable electronic device, the system could perform the task of monitoring a patient's outcomes and tailoring the drug dose to the patient by monitoring and adjusting the drug dose between appointments with a doctor. Such a system may be incorporated into a smartphone or tablet, and may interact with an application on the doctor's side so that the doctor may also monitor changes that the application recommends.

Abstract: A hydraulic powertrain system is disclosed, in which one possible embodiment provides at least one combustion cylinder, at least one cylinder head, at least one piston. During combustion, pressure moves the piston downwards, where it creates motion in an attached hydraulic cylinder. Fluid in the hydraulic cylinder is then pressurized, where it exits the hydraulic cylinder and is directed to a fluid turbine, where work is extracted from the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A hydraulic powertrain system is disclosed, in which one possible embodiment provides at least one combustion cylinder, at least one cylinder head, at least one piston. During combustion, pressure moves the piston downwards, where it creates motion in an attached hydraulic cylinder. Fluid in the hydraulic cylinder is then pressurized, where it exits the hydraulic cylinder and is directed to a fluid turbine, where work is extracted from the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, testing a sample integrated circuit (IC) and a test apparatus incorporating the system or the method. The sample IC includes symmetrical circuits having corresponding intrinsic leakages that depend upon a process employed to manufacture the sample IC. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) data storage circuitry that contains data derived statistically from exemplary ICs manufactured according to the process and determined to be acceptable and (2) test circuitry, associated with the data storage circuitry, that measures the corresponding intrinsic leakages to determine whether the sample IC is acceptable.

Abstract: A method for quality and reliability assurance testing a lot of fabricated ICs comprising the steps of testing the differential Iddq of a sample of ICs at a plurality of different voltages, burning-in a sample of ICs, and then testing the functionality of the sample of ICs. The method of the present invention enables the reliability of an entire lot of ICs to be tested by determining an effective screening voltage for differential Iddq testing of the ICs, thereby eliminating the need both to burn-in and conduct post burn-in testing of all future lots of the ICs. The method of the present invention also enables fabrication facilities and workers to be engaged in other tasks rather than testing of ICs.