Abstract: Bacillus strain compositions and methods for reducing growth of one or more mastitis-causing organisms and/or reducing a symptom, sign, or occurrence of mastitis in animals are provided. The Bacillus strain composition can comprise a bacterial cell, a spore, a forespore, and/or a combination of cells, spores, and/or forespores of Bacillus subtilis 839, Bacillus subtilis 4976, and/or an active variant thereof. Compositions and methods provided herein can be applied to beddings of animals, such as dairy cows, and can reduce symptoms, signs, and/or occurrences of mastitis (e.g., environmental mastitis) in the animals and/or reduce somatic cell count in the milk produced by the animals. Beddings for animals comprising the Bacillus strain compositions provided herein in an effective amount to reduce growth of one or more mastitis-causing organisms are also provided.

Abstract: A control input apparatus for operating an aerial lift system includes a control lever assembly that has at least one control lever and at least one position sensor. The at least one position sensor may indicate a position and/or a movement of the at least one control lever. The control input apparatus additionally incudes a control input element actuatable over a movement range from a non-actuated position to a fully-actuated position, and at least one interlock sensor that releases an interlock corresponding to the control lever assembly upon the control input element being actuated at least to an actuation threshold position located between the non-actuated position and the fully-actuated position. Upon the control input element being actuated at least to the actuation threshold position, the control input apparatus provides control inputs corresponding to the position and/or the movement of the control lever indicated by the at least one position sensor.

Abstract: As described herein, a motorized window treatment may be configured to synchronize its covering material with other motorized window treatments if movement of the covering material has been delayed. The motor drive unit may receive a message including a command via wireless signals, and rotate a roller tube to adjust a present position of the covering material at an increased rate in response to determining that adjustment of the covering material in response to the command is delayed. The control circuit may determine a delay time between when the other motorized window treatments began to move and when the motor drive unit begins to move in response to the command. The control circuit may begin adjusting the present position of the covering material at a nominal rate in response to determining that the covering material is synchronized with the other motorized window treatments using the determined delay time.

Abstract: Bacillus strains, compositions and methods are disclosed for reducing growth of microorganisms in a feed. Bacillus strains, compositions and methods are disclosed for providing beneficial effects to animals, including but not limited to increasing performance of the animal.

Abstract: An algae cultivation medium includes a growth medium and at least one of an amine additive and a water-soluble biomimetic catalyst. A related method of increasing carbon shuttling in an algae cultivation medium includes adding at least one of the amine additive and the water-soluble biomimetic catalyst to the algae cultivation medium.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an absorber having a first packing section, a second packing section and a third packing section. The first packing segment includes a first structured packing, having a first specific surface area SA1, the second packing segment includes a second structured packing, having a second specific surface area SA2, and the third packing segment includes a third structured packing, having a third specific surface area SA3 where SA1<SA2<SA3. The structured packing in the various packing segment may be periodically interrupted with one or more layers of random packing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for platform occupancy detection on an aerial device are described. An aerial platform may be provided for the aerial device. A worker may perform operations in the aerial platform and connect to an interlock system thereof. The worker may have an associated transmitter configured to transmit a signal. A first receiver and a second receiver may be disposed on the aerial platform to receive the signal. Based on the time difference between receiving the signal at the first receiver and receiving the signal at the second receiver, the position of the transmitter may be triangulated. If the transmitter is determined to be within the aerial platform and the worker is not connected to the interlock system, preventive actions may be taken before operation of the aerial platform is permitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing EPA regulated chemical species from industrial wastewater using green rust. The apparatus includes a green rust generator having an iron anode and a carbon cathode.

Abstract: A voltage and current alert system and method for an aerial vehicle including an extendable boom member is disclosed. The system and method include voltage and current sensors disposed throughout the aerial vehicle. The system and method further include components for conversion of the alert signal from a digital signal to a fiber optic signal, therein decreasing the power requirements of the system as well as allowing the signal to bypass a dielectric gap. The system further may shutdown operation of the aerial vehicle upon a detection event.

Abstract: An article of rolling luggage is provided. The article has a retractable or collapsible handle that is convertible between a stored position and a first extended position of use. The handle is also rotatable about an axis such that the handle can be converted between a second extended position of use. The second extended position of use is characterized in that the luggage item may be provided such that a base portion of the item is substantially adjacent to and parallel with a ground surface. Various locking means to enable conversion between the stored position, first extended position of use and second extended position of use are also provided.

Abstract: Bacillus strains, compositions and methods are disclosed for reducing growth of microorganisms in a feed. Bacillus strains, compositions and methods are disclosed for providing beneficial effects to animals, including but not limited to increasing performance of the animal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing EPA regulated chemical species from industrial wastewater using green rust. The apparatus includes a green rust generator having an iron anode and a carbon cathode.

Abstract: Bacillus strains, compositions and methods are disclosed for reducing growth of microorganisms in a feed. Bacillus strains, compositions and methods are disclosed for providing beneficial effects to animals, including but not limited to increasing performance of the animal.

Abstract: An algae cultivation medium includes a growth medium and at least one of an amine additive and a water-soluble biomimetic catalyst. A related method of increasing carbon shuttling in an algae cultivation medium includes adding at least one of the amine additive and the water-soluble biomimetic catalyst to the algae cultivation medium.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an absorber having a first packing section, a second packing section and a third packing section. The first packing segment includes a first structured packing, having a first specific surface area SA1, the second packing segment includes a second structured packing, having a second specific surface area SA2, and the third packing segment includes a third structured packing, having a third specific surface area SA3 where SA1<SA2<SA3. The structured packing in the various packing segment may be periodically interrupted with one or more layers of random packing.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and implementations of an online item searching platform having a store-to-store interface are disclosed. At least some versions of the disclosed systems enable a user to perform purchase and pickup transactions for items across multiple remote stores. The disclosed systems may enable a user to separately navigate hierarchical menus, perform text searches, and navigate favorites bars to find and select items for purchase.