The disclosure herein concerns a method including receiving at a computer at least one target value of a scent parameter for an environment that is remote from the computer, receiving at the computer a sensed parameter of the environment, and controlling, via the computer, diffusion of a liquid from a source of the liquid in fluid communication with at least one scent diffusion device to achieve the target value of the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of the at least one scent diffusion device in response to the sensed parameter.

As a visible-light-responsive photocatalytic-titanium-oxide-particulate dispersion liquid that can achieve a high visible light activity and is of a type different from the related art, the present invention provides a visible-light-responsive photocatalytic-titanium-oxide-particulate dispersion liquid in which two types of titanium oxide particulates are dispersed in an aqueous dispersion medium. The two types of titanium oxide particulates are first titanium oxide particulates, in which a tin component and a transition metal component (but excluding an iron-group component) for enhancing visible light responsiveness are dissolved, and second titanium oxide particulates, in which an iron-group component is dissolved. When a photocatalytic film formed by using this dispersion liquid is used, a high decomposition activity is achieved even in a case where a decomposition substrate has low concentration, which was previously difficult under visible light conditions.

As a visible-light-responsive photocatalytic-titanium-oxide-particulate dispersion liquid that can achieve a high visible light activity and is of a type different from the related art, the present invention provides a visible-light-responsive photocatalytic-titanium-oxide-particulate dispersion liquid in which two types of titanium oxide particulates are dispersed in an aqueous dispersion medium. The two types of titanium oxide particulates are first titanium oxide particulates, in which a tin component and a transition metal component (but excluding an iron-group component) for enhancing visible light responsiveness are dissolved, and second titanium oxide particulates, in which an iron-group component is dissolved. When a photocatalytic film formed by using this dispersion liquid is used, a high decomposition activity is achieved even in a case where a decomposition substrate has low concentration, which was previously difficult under visible light conditions.

There is provided a system and method of cleaning surfaces of an interior cabin space of a contamination comprising a microbial and viral load. The method includes the steps of sealing the interior cabin space and placing water, and a solid or gel pack, into a container and generating a vortex the container by rotating an impeller. The agitation causes the solid or gel pack to release a gaseous cleaning agent. An air-borne spray exiting from the container spreads throughout the interior cabin space to coat the surfaces to be cleaned within the interior cabin space. The cabin is maintained closed for an effective time period while the coating from the air-borne spray dwells on the surfaces to eliminate or substantially reduce the load of the contamination.

An endoscopic shaft assembly includes: an elongate outer shaft; and an outer housing coupled to a proximal portion of the elongate outer shaft. The outer housing includes: a tubular wall defining a cavity; and a shaft plunger disposed within the cavity and configured to move axially within at least a portion of the cavity along a travel path. The shaft plunger includes a collar. The collar is configured to be separated from the tubular wall along a first travel portion of the travel path and to contact the tubular wall along a second travel portion of the travel path.

The present invention relates to new classes of odorous ketones (odorants) which are useful as fragrance or flavor materials in particular in providing coniferous, thuya, floral and/or fruity olfactory notes to perfume, aroma or deodorizing/masking compositions.

Portable sanitization fluid dispensing devices, systems including such devices, and methods for using such devices are described herein. Such devices, systems, and methods may assist in ensuring proper hand sanitization in sensitive environments, such as medical facilities, laboratories, food and drug preparation facilities, and the like. Devices and systems disclosed herein may be adaptive to, e.g., changing schedules, different users, and different environments.

A sterilization container for sterilizing at least one surgical instrument. The container includes at least one sensor for measuring an environmental characteristic of the container during the sterilization of the instrument. The measure of the environmental characteristic is supplied to a processor. The processor compares the measurement of the container environment to a validated measurement for the sterilization process. If the measured environmental characteristic is at least equal to the validated sterilization process measurement, the processor presents an indication that the surgical instruments was properly sterilized.

Systems and methods for treating large quantities of potatoes, other tubers, vegetables, produce, and/or other crops are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a crop storage facility configured in accordance with the present technology includes a treatment system configured to distribute a treatment agent configured to inhibit spoilage of the crops. The treatment system can include a combination of two or more chemical compositions configured to release different concentrations of the treatment agent to produce a desired level of the treatment agent in the storage facility.

An endoscope reprocessor having a tube and nozzles may be used to increase the effectiveness of an endoscope reprocessor. Fluid may be delivered into the tube through the nozzle, which may be oriented in various orientations. Energy of the flow within the tube may be increased by introduction of fluid through the nozzles, which may additionally move the endoscope within the tube.