Abstract: A launching system for an air gun includes a compression cylinder. The compression cylinder includes a cylinder body having an open rearward end and a closed forward end with an interior bore therebetween. The forward end has a transfer port configured for fluid communication with a barrel of an air gun. The piston includes a piston body. The piston body has a forward portion disposed within the interior bore. A sealing device is disposed on the forward portion of the piston body. One of a ferromagnetic section or magnet is disposed on a rearward portion of the piston body. A drive coil assembly is disposed over the one of a ferromagnetic section or magnet. When the drive coil assembly is energized with a first polarity, the piston is drawn from a reset position to a firing position relative to the compression cylinder by the drive coil assembly with increasing force.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of processing MSW comprising the steps of—providing a stream of unsorted MSW to a microbial fermentation reactor in which the MSW is fermented with agitation at a non-water content of between 10 and 50% by weight and at a temperature of between 35 and 75 degrees C. for a period of between 1 and 72 hours under conditions sufficient to maintain a live lactic acid bacteria concentration of at least 10,000,000,000 CFU/L, and—removing a stream of fermented unsorted MSW from the reactor and subjecting it to a separation step whereby non-degradable solids are removed to provide a slurry of biodegradable components. Further, a slurry of bio-degradable components prepared according to said method is provided.

Abstract: A headlamp includes a strap configured to conform to a user's head or to a hardhat, and a first light assembly coupled to the strap. The first light assembly includes a flexible housing and a plurality of first LEDs operable in a first plurality of lighting modes. The headlamp also includes a second light assembly coupled to the strap and spaced apart from the first light assembly. The second light assembly includes a housing, a plurality of second LEDs, and a battery receptacle configured to receive a battery pack. The headlamp further includes an actuator operable to control operation of the first light assembly and the second light assembly, and a wire extending from the second light assembly to the first light assembly to electrically couple the battery receptacle to the plurality of first LEDs.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of reducing virulence of a bacterial species with a segmented genome which has infected a mammalian host or mammalian host cell, by exposing the bacterial genome to an RNA-guided nuclease and a guide RNA (gRNA), thus generating a double-stranded or single-stranded break in the bacterial genome and causing loss of the targeted genome segment.

Abstract: A headlamp includes a first light assembly including a first LED operable in a first plurality of lighting modes and a second light assembly electrically coupled to the first light assembly. The second light assembly includes a second LED operable in a second plurality of lighting modes, a battery receptacle configured to receive a battery pack, and an actuator operable to toggle the first LED between the first plurality of lighting modes and the second LED between the second plurality of lighting modes.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of reducing virulence of a bacterial species with a segmented genome which has infected a mammalian host or mammalian host cell, by exposing the bacterial genome to an RNA-guided nuclease and a guide RNA (gRNA), thus generating a double-stranded or single-stranded break in the bacterial genome and causing loss of the targeted genome segment.

Abstract: A headlamp includes a first light assembly including a first LED operable in a first plurality of lighting modes and a second light assembly electrically coupled to the first light assembly. The second light assembly includes a second LED operable in a second plurality of lighting modes, a battery receptacle configured to receive a battery pack, and an actuator operable to toggle the first LED between the first plurality of lighting modes and the second LED between the second plurality of lighting modes.

Abstract: A loading mechanism includes a housing including a loading chamber positioned adjacent to a housing passageway. The loading chamber is operable to load ammunition therein. A resilient bucking is disposed within the housing passageway. The bucking includes a bucking passageway that is operable to receive ammunition transferred from the loading chamber. A spring, having a plurality of spring coils, is disposed in the housing passageway. The spring is operable to apply pressure to the bucking when the spring is compressed. A gun barrel is slidably positioned within the housing passageway. A fastening mechanism is operable to attach the gun barrel to the housing and to put the spring into compression. When the spring is compressed, pressure is applied to the bucking and the bucking passageway is collapsed inward to seal entirely around ammunition that is positioned within the bucking passageway.

Abstract: A portable lighting apparatus includes a handle, a light head pivotally coupled to the handle through a plurality of positions via a joint, a battery receptacle supported by the handle, a first light source supported in the light head, a second light source supported in the light head, and a user interface supported by the handle and configured to be selectively actuated by a user to operate the first light source and the second light source. The battery receptacle is configured to receive a rechargeable battery. The first light source includes a laser selectively operable to emit a single light wavelength, and the second light source includes one or more LEDs selectively operable to emit a distribution of light wavelengths.

Abstract: A launching system for an air gun includes a compression cylinder. The compression cylinder includes a cylinder body having an open rearward end and a closed forward end with an interior bore therebetween. The forward end has a transfer port configured for fluid communication with a barrel of an air gun. The piston includes a piston body. The piston body has a forward portion disposed within the interior bore. A sealing device is disposed on the forward portion of the piston body. One of a ferromagnetic section or magnet is disposed on a rearward portion of the piston body. A drive coil assembly is disposed over the one of a ferromagnetic section or magnet. When the drive coil assembly is energized with a first polarity, the piston is drawn from a reset position to a firing position relative to the compression cylinder by the drive coil assembly with increasing force.

Abstract: A portable lighting apparatus includes a handle, a light head pivotally coupled to the handle through a plurality of positions via a joint, a battery receptacle supported by the handle, a first light source supported in the light head, a second light source supported in the light head, and a user interface supported by the handle and configured to be selectively actuated by a user to operate the first light source and the second light source. The battery receptacle is configured to receive a rechargeable battery. The first light source includes a laser selectively operable to emit a single light wavelength, and the second light source includes one or more LEDs selectively operable to emit a distribution of light wavelengths.

Abstract: A scalable three dimensional printing apparatus capable of movement along three axes includes a tractor assembly movable along a selectively extendable rail component. Wheels in the tractor assembly surround part of the rail component to enable movement of a gantry bridge in a longitudinal direction along the rails. A movable printing trolley moves horizontally along a gantry bridge and has a printing column which can move vertically. Because the gantry bridge, trolley, and printing column move orthogonally to each other, users may print in three dimensions. Selective extension of the rails allows a user to alter lengthwise printing scale.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of diagnosing Lyme disease in a subject comprising measuring the level of B. burgdorferi peptidoglycan or the level of an antibody that specifically binds to B. burgdorferi peptidoglycan (“anti-peptidoglycan agent”). The present disclosure also relates to a method of treating a Lyme disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an antagonist against B. burgdorferi peptidoglycan (e.g., an anti-peptidoglycan antibody or a peptidoglycan-specific hydrolase). Antagonists (e.g., anti-peptidoglycan antibodies) suitable for the present methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of processing municipal solid wastes (MSW) are provided whereby concurrent enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation of wastes results in liquefaction of biodegradable components as well as accumulation of microbial metabolites. Liquefied biodegradable components are then separated from nondegradable solids to produce a bioliquid characterized in comprising a large percentage of dissolved solids of which a large fraction comprises some combination of acetate, ethanol, butyrate, lactate, formate or propionate. This bioliquid is, itself, a novel biomethane substrate composition, which permits very rapid conversion to biomethane. Methods of biomethane production are further provided using this bioliquid and using other biomethane substrate compositions produced by concurrent enzymatic hydrolysis and microbial fermentation of organic materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of processing MSW comprising the steps of—providing a stream of unsorted MSW to a microbial fermentation reactor in which the MSW is fermented with agitation at a non-water content of between 10 and 50% by weight and at a temperature of between 35 and 75 degrees for a period of between 1 and 72 hours under conditions sufficient to maintain a live lactic acid bacteria concentration of at least 10,000,000,000 CFU/L, and—removing a stream of fermented unsorted MSW from the reactor and subjecting it to a separation step whereby non-degradable solids are removed to provide a slurry of biodegradable components. Further, a slurry of bio-degradable components prepared according to said method is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of processing MSW comprising the steps of —providing a stream of unsorted MSW to a microbial fermentation reactor in which the MSW is fermented with agitation at a non-water content of between 10 and 50% by weight and at a temperature of between 35 and 75 degrees for a period of between 1 and 72 hours under conditions sufficient to maintain a live lactic acid bacteria concentration of at least 10.000.000.000 CFU/L, and —removing a stream of fermented unsorted MSW from the reactor and subjecting it to a separation step whereby non-degradable solids are removed to provide a slurry of bio-degradable components. Further, a slurry of bio-degradable components prepared according to said method is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a three-dimensional printing system which is capable of printing with multiple different printing materials, including homogenous materials, such as cement paste, or heterogeneous materials, such as concrete. Functionality is accomplished by novel, critical structures including but not limited to a movable gate capable of controlling the flow of printing materials without clogging or becoming otherwise damaged. The system has a print head that discharges printing material through a discharge aperture. The movable gate is rotatably connected to the print head, allowing it to cover the discharge aperture and cut off the flow of printing material when actuated and rotated into position. Certain embodiments also include hose positioning systems to prevent hoses delivering printing material from disconnecting or damaging the printed structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a three-dimensional printing system which is capable of printing with multiple different printing materials, including homogenous materials, such as cement paste, or heterogeneous materials, such as concrete. Functionality is accomplished by novel, critical structures including but not limited to a movable gate capable of controlling the flow of printing materials without clogging or becoming otherwise damaged. The system has a print head that discharges printing material through a discharge aperture. The movable gate is rotatably connected to the print head, allowing it to cover the discharge aperture and cut off the flow of printing material when actuated and rotated into position. Certain embodiments also include hose positioning systems to prevent hoses delivering printing material from disconnecting or damaging the printed structure.

Abstract: A scalable three dimensional printing apparatus capable of movement along three axes includes a tractor assembly movable along a selectively extendable rail component. Wheels in the tractor assembly surround part of the rail component to enable movement of a gantry bridge in a longitudinal direction along the rails. A movable printing trolley moves horizontally along a gantry bridge and has a printing column which can move vertically. Because the gantry bridge, trolley, and printing column move orthogonally to each other, users may print in three dimensions. Selective extension of the rails allows a user to alter lengthwise printing scale.