Abstract: Provided are biosynthetic processes for producing sterol derivatives, and to non-naturally occurring organisms capable of producing sterol derivatives. More specifically, genetically modified non-naturally occurring organisms for producing KCEA, KCDA, and related compounds, from cholesterol, ?-sitosterol, campesterol and their analogs, are provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for preparing particulate materials having high electrochemical capacities that are suitable for use as anode active materials in rechargeable metal-ion batteries. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a process for preparing a particulate material comprising a plurality of composite particles. The process includes providing particulate porous carbon frameworks comprising micro pores and/or mesopores, wherein the porous carbon frameworks have a D50 particle diameter of at least 20 ?m; depositing an electroactive material selected from silicon and alloys thereof into the micropores and/or mesopores of the porous carbon frameworks using a chemical vapour infiltration process in a fluidised bed reactor, to provide intermediate particles; and comminuting the intermediate particles to provide said composite particles.

Abstract: A device for leveling a surface; the device includes a shaft, a handle-means and a head-assembly. The shaft is selectively retractable, and the head-assembly is foldable to enable compact storage. The device is for personal use by a user in leveling a surface; for example, a sand bunker/sand trap on a golf course. In some versions, the device further includes an attachment-means for attaching the device to a bag.

Abstract: Silicon-containing composite particles, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of porous particles comprising micropores and/or mesopores, wherein the D50 particle diameter of the porous particles from 0.5 to 200 ?m; the total pore volume of micropores and mesopores is from 0.4 to 2.2 cm3/g; and the PD50 pore diameter is no more than 30 nm; c (b) combining a charge of the porous particles with a charge of a silicon-containing precursor in a batch pressure reactor, wherein the charge of porous particles has a volume of at least 20 cm3 per litre of reactor volume (cm3/LRV), and wherein the charge of the silicon-containing precursor comprises at least 2 g of silicon per litre of reactor volume (g/LRV); and (c) heating the reactor to a temperature effective to cause deposition of silicon in the pores of the porous particles, thereby providing the silicon-containing composite particles.

Abstract: A docking assist assembly for assisted boat docking. The docking assist assembly may include: a mounting portion configured to be supported by an upper surface of a dock; an arm portion extending transverse to the mounting portion; and a bow retaining portion including a first side defining a first surface facing at least partially toward the second side and a second side defining a second surface at least partially facing toward the first side, said first side and said second side configured to receive a bow of a boat at least partially between the first side and the second side; wherein at least one of the arm portion and the bow retaining portion is movable relative to the mounting portion so as to at least partially absorb a docking impact force of a boat.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a retractable tonneau cover for a vehicle that has been modified in order to generally minimize the size of a housing of the tonneau cover, providing more vehicle cargo space for a user. The modified retractable tonneau cover can be automatically closed through an electronic system.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide specially designed synthetic BCL11A-targeting microRNAs for RNA polymerase II expression, and methods of use to treat hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia by increasing the expression levels of fetal hemoglobin levels.

Abstract: A retractable truck bed cover having an array of parallel aluminum slats joined together by connective hinges including leading and trailing edge configuration for improving the security of the cover by covering and concealing the seam between adjacent slats while improving the connective hinge's resistance to the effects of aging and/or exposure to temperature fluctuations. The truck bed cover connective hinge slat is designed to be in an array of discrete slats, which are joined to one another by means of joiner members secured at each end to slat end caps. The distal ends of the joiner members are attached to slat end caps at the distal ends of the slats, thereby preventing the joiner members from shrinking in relationship to the slats due to aging and/or exposure to temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: A docking assist assembly for assisted boat docking. The docking assist assembly may include: a mounting portion configured to be supported by an upper surface of a dock; an arm portion extending transverse to the mounting portion; and a bow retaining portion including a first side defining a first surface facing at least partially toward the second side and a second side defining a second surface at least partially facing toward the first side, said first side and said second side configured to receive a bow of a boat at least partially between the first side and the second side; wherein at least one of the arm portion and the bow retaining portion is movable relative to the mounting portion so as to at least partially absorb a docking impact force of a boat.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a retractable tonneau cover for a vehicle that has been modified in order to generally minimize the size of a housing of the tonneau cover, providing more vehicle cargo space for a user. The modified retractable tonneau cover can be automatically closed through an electronic system.

Abstract: A retractable truck bed cover having an array of parallel aluminum slats joined together by connective hinges including leading and trailing edge configuration for improving the security of the cover by covering and concealing the seam between adjacent slats while improving the connective hinge's resistance to the effects of aging and/or exposure to temperature fluctuations. The truck bed cover connective hinge slat is designed to be in an array of discrete slats, which are joined to one another by means of joiner members secured at each end to slat end caps. The distal ends of the joiner members are attached to slat end caps at the distal ends of the slats, thereby preventing the joiner members from shrinking in relationship to the slats due to aging and I or exposure to temperature fluctuations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing silicon-containing composite particles in a fluidized bed. Porous conductive particles having a defined particle size and pore structure are combined with a particulate additive having defined particle size, density and BET surface area. The combined porous conductive particles and particulate additive are subjected to chemical vapour infiltration in a fluidised bed to cause deposition of silicon in the pores of the porous conductive particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to particulate electroactive materials consisting of a plurality of composite particles, wherein the composite particles comprise: (a) a porous conductive particle framework including micropores and/or mesopores having a total volume of at least 0.4 to 2.2 cm3/g; (b) an electroactive material disposed within the porous conductive particle framework; and (c) a lithium-ion permeable filler penetrating the pores of the porous conductive particle framework and disposed intermediate the nanoscale silicon domains and the exterior of the composite particles.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for providing composite particles with a carbon coating and the resulting core-shell particulate material. The process comprises subjecting a plurality of precursor composite particles to a heat treatment in contact with a pyrolytic carbon precursor such that an outer shell of a pyrolytic conductive carbon material is formed on the precursor composite particles, wherein the heat treatment is carried out at a temperature of no more than 700° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to particulate electroactive materials comprising a plurality of composite particles, wherein the composite particles comprise: (a) a porous carbon framework including micropores and/or mesopores having a total volume of at least 0.7 cm3/g, wherein at least half of the micropore/mesopore volume is in the form of pores having a diameter of no more than 5 nm; and (b) silicon located within the micropores and/or mesopores of the porous carbon framework in a defined amount relative to the volume of the micropores and/or mesopores.

Abstract: This invention relates to particulate electroactive materials consisting of a plurality of composite particles, wherein the composite particles comprise: (a) a porous carbon framework including micropores and/or mesopores having a total volume of at least 0.6 cm 3/g, wherein at least half of the micropore/mesopore volume is in the form of pores having a diameter of no more than 2 nm; and (b) an electroactive material located within the micropores and/or mesopores of the porous carbon framework. The D 90 particle diameter of the composite particles is no more than 10 nm.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for preparing particulate materials having high electrochemical capacities that are suitable for use as anode active materials in rechargeable metal-ion batteries. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a process for preparing a particulate material comprising a plurality of composite particles. The process includes providing particulate porous carbon frameworks comprising micro pores and/or mesopores, wherein the porous carbon frameworks have a D50 particle diameter of at least 20 ?m; depositing an electroactive material selected from silicon and alloys thereof into the micropores and/or mesopores of the porous carbon frameworks using a chemical vapour infiltration process in a fluidised bed reactor, to provide intermediate particles; and comminuting the intermediate particles to provide said composite particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particulate material comprising a plurality of composite particles, wherein the composite particles comprise: (a) a porous carbon framework comprising micropores and mesopores having a total pore volume of at least 0.6 cm3/g, where the volume fraction of micropores is in the range from 0.1 to 0.9 and the volume fraction of pores having a pore diameter no more than 20 nm is at least 0.75, and the porous carbon framework has a D50 particle size of less than 20 ?m; (b) silicon located within the micropores and/or mesopores of the porous carbon framework in a defined amount relative to the volume of the micropores and/or mesopores.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide specially designed synthetic BCL11A-targeting microRNAs for RNA polymerase II expression, and methods of use to treat hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia by increasing the expression levels of fetal hemoglobin levels.

Abstract: An appliance dolly includes a frame comprising a top end, a bottom end, a front end, and a back end. A platform is attached to the front end of the frame at the bottom end of the frame. A plate that is configured to engage with an appliance package between a box of the appliance package and a lid of the appliance package is disposed on the frame above the platform. The plate is movable between an engaged position between the box and the lid and a disengaged position where the plate is spaced apart from the box and the lid.