Abstract: A manometry system includes a manometric catheter configured to sense pressure within a gastrointestinal tract, a wireless assembly configured for transmitting/receiving signals to/from the catheter, and a base unit configured to calibrate the catheter prior to usage thereof and to store and charge a wireless electronics module of the wireless assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to open cell hydrogel networks, methods of making the same and baits formed from the same, methods of loading the same with attractant molecules and compositions, and methods of catching fish and/or other aquatic organisms using the same. The open cell hydrogel networks disclosed herein can be configured to have different properties based on the specific polymers used for synthesis as well as any initiators, catalysts, and/or crosslinkers, thus allowing the fabrication of suitable baits for a variety of target species. In some aspects, the open cell hydrogel networks can be used as a filter or drug delivery device.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a fluidized slug in a piping conduit. The system includes a first sensor assembly positioned at a first location of the piping conduit, a second sensor assembly positioned at a second location of the piping conduit, the second location being downstream from the first location, and a monitoring controller. The monitoring controller is coupled to the first sensor assembly and the second sensor assembly. The monitoring controller is configured to receive first data from the first sensor assembly and second data from the second sensor assembly. The first data indicates a first characteristic of the fluidized slug within the piping conduit and the second data indicates a second characteristic of the fluidized slug within the piping conduit. The monitoring controller then generates an indication of a slug characteristic based on the first data and the second data.

Abstract: A fishing lure comprises a hydrogel material and at least one water soluble attractant. The fishing lure can be a single hydrogel component or can have a core-shell structure having one or more shells on a core, where the shells and core differ by repeating unit composition and/or by the cross-linking density of the shell and core material, wherein the core is more highly cross-linked than the shells. The hydrogel can be cross-linked ionically, covalently, or physically by phase separation of a block copolymer. The fishing lure displays a loss of attractant during use, but the lure can be reloaded by submerging the lure in a solution of or in neat liquid attractant. When the fishing lure has a core-shell structure, an additional attractant that has low water-solubility, such as a lipid or oil, can be infused into the lure.

Abstract: A control apparatus for regulating a building perimeter temperature change system, which may be a heating system, a cooling system, or both. The control apparatus operates in conjunction with a central heating system which operates to adjust temperatures in the building. The building is characterized by net heat gains or losses at the building perimeter. These net heat gains and losses are made up by the building perimeter temperature change system under the regulation of the present control apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat flow sensor for mounting upon an exterior building element to generate a sensor signal proportional to the direction and magnitude of heat flow to or from the building element. A controller responsive to the sensor signal operates the temperature change system so that the rate of perimeter heating or cooling is directly proportional to the measured rate of heat loss or gain through the building element.