Abstract: An animal feeding system is provided. The feeding system includes a container that holds dry pet food, and a receptacle that gravitationally receives the pet food. The system also provides a conveyor system. The conveyor system moves the dry pet food from the receptacle to a feeding bowl. Additionally, the animal feeding system includes a processor. The processor is configured to deliver start and stop signals to a motor in response to signals sent from a user control unit. The animal feeding system additionally comprises the user control unit. The control unit offers a user interface for programming the system according to a desired feeding schedule. A method for feeding an animal using the feeding system is also provided herein.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump pet water fountain is provided which includes a bowl defined by a peripheral wall extending upwardly from a floor. The bowl is configured to hold water. The housing divides the basin into a drinking basin and an interior basin. The housing includes an upright sidewall extending from a floor and a cap. The housing also defines an elevated water reservoir with a spout. A rotating cone is positioned within the housing and driven by a motor. The cone has a water inlet and a top opening adjacent the cone top opening. During operation, the rotation of the cone forces water to climb the interior surface of the cone through centrifugal force, where the water is deposited within the reservoir and returned to the drinking basin through the spout.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing an elution profile of a stent after manufacture of the stent has been completed. The stent includes a plurality of side ports for eluting a drug formulation within a lumenal space of a hollow strut that forms the stent. An effective diameter of at least one side port of the plurality of side ports of the stent is modified in order to customize an elution profile of the stent. In an embodiment hereof, the plurality of side ports are completely blocked or plugged with a filler material during the manufacture of the stent and at least a portion of the filler material is removed to increase an effective diameter of at least one side port of the plurality of side ports of the stent in order to customize an elution profile of the stent.

Abstract: Provided herein is a biological detection system and method of use wherein the biological detection system comprises at least one mixer or liquid bridge for combining at least two liquid droplets and an error correction system for detecting whether or not proper mixing or combining of the two component droplets have occurred.

Abstract: Motorcycles can become unstable when operating at high speeds and at high cornering levels. For example, they can exhibit an oscillation at the rear wheel commonly known as “weave.” A system and method is provided which utilizes a high-fidelity computer simulation model of a 2- or 3-wheel motorcycle to predict operating states such as yaw rate, lateral acceleration and roll angle for a stable motorcycle at a given speed and steer angle. The operating state of a physical motorcycle can be measured and compared to that of the model at every instant in time to determine if the operating state of the physical motorcycle differs from that of the simulation model in such a way as to indicate loss of stability. The nature of that difference can then be used to intervene in the operation of the motorcycle independent of driver actions by application of brakes, modulating the engine torque or applying torques to urge the steering system in a corrective direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing an elution profile of a stent after manufacture of the stent has been completed. The stent includes a plurality of side ports for eluting a drug formulation within a lumenal space of a hollow strut that forms the stent. An effective diameter of at least one side port of the plurality of side ports of the stent is modified in order to customize an elution profile of the stent. In an embodiment hereof, the plurality of side ports are completely blocked or plugged with a filler material during the manufacture of the stent and at least a portion of the filler material is removed to increase an effective diameter of at least one side port of the plurality of side ports of the stent in order to customize an elution profile of the stent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for customizing an elution rate of a stent. The stent includes a hollow strut that forms the stent, the hollow strut defining a lumenal space, a drug formulation disposed within the lumenal space of the hollow strut, and at least one side port for eluting the drug formulation in vivo. When the stent is in the radially expanded configuration the hollow strut is deformable from a first configuration that has a first elution rate for the drug formulation to a second configuration that has a second elution rate for the drug formulation. The second elution rate is faster than the first elution rate. The hollow strut deforms from the first configuration to the second configuration upon application of an applied pressure above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Motorcycles can become unstable when operating at high speeds and at high cornering levels. For example, they can exhibit an oscillation at the rear wheel commonly known as “weave.” A system and method is provided which utilizes a high-fidelity computer simulation model of a 2- or 3-wheel motorcycle to predict operating states such as yaw rate, lateral acceleration and roll angle for a stable motorcycle at a given speed and steer angle. The operating state of a physical motorcycle can be measured and compared to that of the model at every instant in time to determine if the operating state of the physical motorcycle differs from that of the simulation model in such a way as to indicate loss of stability. The nature of that difference can then be used to intervene in the operation of the motorcycle independent of driver actions by application of brakes, modulating the engine torque or applying torques to urge the steering system in a corrective direction.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for charging fluids are disclosed. The charging of fluids improves the mixing of fluids in microfluidic systems. The charging is performed by producing an ion field between an ionizing electrode and an opposed ground electrode. A fluid-containing vessel is positioned between the opposed electrodes and the ion field charges the fluid in the vessel.

Abstract: A particulate titanium dioxide has a median volume particle diameter of greater than 70 nm. The titanium dioxide can be produced by calcining precursor particles. The titanium dioxide has enhanced UVA efficacy. The particulate titanium dioxide can be used to form dispersions. The particulate titanium dioxide or dispersions can be used to produce sunscreen products having a UV protection which is at least one third of the label SPF value.

Abstract: Provided herein is a biological detection system and method of use wherein the biological detection system comprises at least one mixer or liquid bridge for combining at least two liquid droplets and an error correction system for detecting whether or not proper mixing or combining of the two component droplets have occurred.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for charging fluids are disclosed. The charging of fluids improves the mixing of fluids in microfluidic systems. The charging is performed by producing an ion field between an ionizing electrode and an opposed ground electrode. A fluid-containing vessel is positioned between the opposed electrodes and the ion field charges the fluid in the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices, systems, and methods for acquiring and/or dispensing a sample without introducing a gas into a microfluidic system, such as a liquid bridge system. An exemplary embodiment provides a sampling device including an outer sheath; a plurality of tubes within the sheath, in which at least one of the tubes acquires a sample, and at least one of the tubes expels a fluid that is immiscible with the sample, in which the at least one tube that acquires the sample is extendable beyond a distal end of the sheath and retractable to within the sheath; and a valve connected to a distal portion of the sheath, in which the valve opens when the tube extends beyond the distal end and closes when the tube retracts to within the sheath.

Abstract: A logging tool capable of making different types of measurements is provided, and a plurality of measurements on a formation are obtained. Certain mineral properties of the formation are assumed and a mixed properties theorem for the formation is invoked. Upper and lower velocity limits for sonic waves traveling through the formation are determined using the above information. Biot's constant is also computed using the above information. LWD data on the formation is obtained and an effective stress is determined. A total stress is determined and, from that and the other information, a pore pressure is determined.

Abstract: An animal feeding system is provided. The feeding system includes a container that holds dry pet food, and a receptacle that gravitationally receives the pet food. The system also provides a conveyor system. The conveyor system moves the dry pet food from the receptacle to a feeding bowl. Additionally, the animal feeding system includes a processor. The processor is configured to deliver start and stop signals to a motor in response to signals sent from a user control unit. The animal feeding system additionally comprises the user control unit. The control unit offers a user interface for programming the system according to a desired feeding schedule. A method for feeding an animal using the feeding system is also provided herein.

Abstract: A particulate metal oxide has a metal oxide core and a coating layer containing an inorganic material and (i) a quaternary silane coupling agent, and/or (ii) a silane coupling agent and a hydrophobizing agent. Preferred materials are titanium dioxide core particles, an amino organosilane coupling agent and a fatty acid hydrophobizing agent. The particulate metal oxide is suitable for use in forming a dispersion, and the particles and dispersion can be used in an end-use sunscreen composition which is transparent, exhibits effective UV absorption properties, reduced photoactivity, and/or improved skin feel.