Abstract: A bottle assembly has a bottle and a removable cap. The cap includes a nozzle and a vent arrangement. The vent arrangement can include a vent conduit that extends into an air cavity present at the bottom of the bottle assembly when the bottle assembly is inverted. The vent arrangement allows for pressure equalization within the bottom assembly in response to liquid being dispensed from the bottle assembly to permit high flow rates of the dispensed liquid without squeezing of the bottle.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, devices and methods for deactivating tags. For instance, an electronic device may include antennas that transmit signals and/or fields for deactivating the tags. In some examples, the electronic device includes a first gate that includes a first portion of the antennas and a second gate that includes a second portion of the antennas. To deactivate the tags, the electronic device may detect locations of an object relative to the electronic device. The electronic device may then activate a respective tag and/or a respective group of tags based on the location of the object. For example, the electronic device may activate a first tag and/or a first group of tags when the object is at a first location, activate a second tag and/or a second group of tags when the object is at a second location, and/or so forth.

Abstract: A bottle assembly has a bottle and a removable cap. The cap includes a nozzle and a vent arrangement. The vent arrangement can include a vent conduit that extends into an air cavity present at the bottom of the bottle assembly when the bottle assembly is inverted. The vent arrangement allows for pressure equalization within the bottom assembly in response to liquid being dispensed from the bottle assembly to permit high flow rates of the dispensed liquid without squeezing of the bottle.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of preventing symptomatic ischemic stroke in humans who have suffered from an acute non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke or a high-risk transient ischemic attack.

Abstract: A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.

Abstract: A system for characterizing at least one particle from a fluid sample is disclosed. The system includes a filter disposed upstream of an outlet, and a luminaire configured to illuminate the at least one particle at an oblique angle. An imaging device is configured to capture and process images of the illuminated at least one particle as it rests on the filter for characterizing the at least one particle. A system for characterizing at least one particle using bright field illumination is also disclosed. A method for characterizing particulates in a fluid sample using at least one of oblique angle and bright field illumination is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bottle assembly has a bottle and a removable cap. The cap includes a nozzle and a vent arrangement. The vent arrangement can include a vent conduit that extends into an air cavity present at the bottom of the bottle assembly when the bottle assembly is inverted. The vent arrangement allows for pressure equalization within the bottom assembly in response to liquid being dispensed from the bottle assembly to permit high flow rates of the dispensed liquid without squeezing of the bottle.

Abstract: Methods are described for improving flow of oil containing fluids through vessels, pipelines, heat exchangers, and other equipment. Polymeric surfactants with lipophilic head groups and long hydrophilic poly(ethene oxide) tails are added to the fluid to coat the oil and metal surfaces with drag reducing aqueous filaments, allowing the oil to slip past those surfaces without sticking and with little resistance. Such surface coatings also promote coalescence of viscous emulsions of water-in-oil or oil-in-water without creating oil-wet flow blocking residues on stationary surfaces. Such fouling obstructs the flow of oil and water and results in both material and energy losses.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing between proteinaceous and non-proteinaceous particulates in a fluid sample includes the steps of acquiring a brightfield background image of a membrane filter, introducing a fluid sample onto the membrane filter, acquiring a brightfield image of filtered particles resting on the membrane filter, generating a particle mask based on the brightfield background image and the brightfield image of filtered particles, introducing a fluorescent dye onto the membrane filter, detecting fluorescence on the particle mask, and distinguishing between proteinaceous and non-proteinaceous particulates based on the detected fluorescence. A method for detecting other types of particles, such as polysorbate particles, silicone oil or protein monomers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bottle assembly has a bottle and a removable cap. The cap includes a nozzle and a vent arrangement. The vent arrangement can include a vent conduit that extends into an air cavity present at the bottom of the bottle assembly when the bottle assembly is inverted. The vent arrangement allows for pressure equalization within the bottom assembly in response to liquid being dispensed from the bottle assembly to permit high flow rates of the dispensed liquid without squeezing of the bottle.

Abstract: A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.

Abstract: A system for characterizing at least one particle from a fluid sample is disclosed. The system includes a filter disposed upstream of an outlet, and a luminaire configured to illuminate the at least one particle at an oblique angle. An imaging device is configured to capture and process images of the illuminated at least one particle as it rests on the filter for characterizing the at least one particle. A system for characterizing at least one particle using bright field illumination is also disclosed. A method for characterizing particulates in a fluid sample using at least one of oblique angle and bright field illumination is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.

Abstract: A small-scale, batch-wise device to simulate high-shear, short-duration emulsification of fluids from various industrial processes at elevated temperatures and pressures for the purpose of determining the quality and stability of those emulsions under different conditions and with different additives. A threaded, transparent tube capable high temperature and pressure is fitted with a threaded bearing with a shaft sealed gas tight at two points with spring-loaded, internally-facing, open rings. A socket head on the external end of the shaft held on a high-speed motor-drive rotates mixing blades on the internal end of the shaft. Process fluids and additives are added to the tube with a vaporizing liquid. The tube is sealed, heated to the process temperature under pressure, then inverted onto the motor drive, by which the blades are rotated at high-speed for a short duration. The tube is righted and the emulsion observed over time at process temperature under pressure.

Abstract: A pH photothermal spectrometer includes a container that receives an analyte medium and pH-sensitive chromophore. An excitation fiber and optical thermometer are disposed in the container. The optical thermometer include a light receiver disposed on a temperature detector fiber.

Abstract: A system for characterizing at least one particle from a fluid sample is disclosed. The system includes a filter disposed upstream of an outlet, and a luminaire configured to illuminate the at least one particle at an oblique angle. An imaging device is configured to capture and process images of the illuminated at least one particle as it rests on the filter for characterizing the at least one particle. A system for characterizing at least one particle using bright field illumination is also disclosed. A method for characterizing particulates in a fluid sample using at least one of oblique angle and bright field illumination is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for characterizing at least one particle from a fluid sample is disclosed. The system includes a filter disposed upstream of an outlet, and a luminaire configured to illuminate the at least one particle at an oblique angle. An imaging device is configured to capture and process images of the illuminated at least one particle as it rests on the filter for characterizing the at least one particle. A system for characterizing at least one particle using bright field illumination is also disclosed. A method for characterizing particulates in a fluid sample using at least one of oblique angle and bright field illumination is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a shoe that may be transformed from a high heel shoe to a low heel shoe. The shoe may include three parts: a removable stelo, a removable high heel attachment, and the corresponding attachment systems integrated into the base shoe sole. The removable high heel attachment may be a standard heel of any design, width and height that has a locking system comprising a threaded post located at the heel base. When the stelo and heel attachment are attached, the shoe may be a high heel shoe. When they are removed, the shoe may be a low heel shoe, or flat shoe.

Abstract: A vacuum manifold for filtration microscopy includes a manifold top having multiple openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top, where the capture membrane is configured to deflect into contact with a surface of the manifold top when a negative pressure is applied to the multiple openings. A method for filtration microscopy includes the steps of providing a vacuum manifold including a manifold top having a plurality of openings, and a capture membrane positioned above and spaced apart from the manifold top; applying sample drops to sample spots on the membrane, the sample spots positioned above the plurality of openings; applying a negative pressure to the openings such that the capture membrane contacts a surface of the manifold top; and optically imaging particulates on the capture membrane.