Abstract: Provided herein are polynucleotides comprising sequence configured to bind to a CRISPR effector protein. Modulation of one or more modifications of the polynucleotides can be used to tune the activity of CRISPR effector proteins complexed with the polynucleotides.

Abstract: Provided herein are polynucleotides comprising sequence configured to bind to a CRISPR effector protein. Modulation of one or more modifications of the polynucleotides can be used to tune the activity of CRISPR effector proteins complexed with the polynucleotides.

Abstract: Provided herein are polynucleotides and CRISPR effector proteins configured to be covalently bound together in a CRISPR complex. The polynucleotides can be further modified to modulate the activity of the CRISPR complex. Modification of the polynucleotide and CRISPR effector protein can be used to improve the efficacy of target binding and/or cleavage.

Abstract: Techniques for obtaining environment information are disclosed. In an embodiment, a host that has not yet completed a boot process obtains information (also referred to as “environment information”) about facilities that are available for use in a computing environment. The host does not need any functionality that is enabled through a complete boot process to obtain the environment information. The environment information is used for configuring a system service or application on the host, prior to initialization of the system service or application. Initializing the system service or application with such configurations prepares the system service or application to interact with the existing facilities. In an embodiment, a validator validates functional requirements for a computing environment. The validator obtains the environment information.

Abstract: Techniques for obtaining environment information are disclosed. In an embodiment, a host that has not yet completed a boot process obtains information (also referred to as “environment information”) about facilities that are available for use in a computing environment. The host does not need any functionality that is enabled through a complete boot process to obtain the environment information. The environment information is used for configuring a system service or application on the host, prior to initialization of the system service or application. Initializing the system service or application with such configurations prepares the system service or application to interact with the existing facilities. In an embodiment, a validator validates functional requirements for a computing environment. The validator obtains the environment information.

Abstract: Techniques for obtaining environment information are disclosed. In an embodiment, a host that has not yet completed a boot process obtains information (also referred to as “environment information”) about facilities that are available for use in a computing environment. The host does not need any functionality that is enabled through a complete boot process to obtain the environment information. The environment information is used for configuring a system service or application on the host, prior to initialization of the system service or application. Initializing the system service or application with such configurations prepares the system service or application to interact with the existing facilities. In an embodiment, a validator validates functional requirements for a computing environment. The validator obtains the environment information.

Abstract: Techniques for obtaining environment information are disclosed. In an embodiment, a host that has not yet completed a boot process obtains information (also referred to as “environment information”) about facilities that are available for use in a computing environment. The host does not need any functionality that is enabled through a complete boot process to obtain the environment information. The environment information is used for configuring a system service or application on the host, prior to initialization of the system service or application. Initializing the system service or application with such configurations prepares the system service or application to interact with the existing facilities. In an embodiment, a validator validates functional requirements for a computing environment. The validator obtains the environment information.

Abstract: A jack lift device for lifting and positioning loads includes a tube, a pipe and a hoist. The tube is configured to insert into a hole in a top of a step ladder. The tube is configured to couple to the step ladder so that the tube is positioned substantially vertically. The pipe is complementary to and selectively slidably positionable within the tube. A plate is coupled to and extends perpendicularly from an upper end of the pipe. A hoist is coupled to the tube and operationally coupled to the pipe. The plate is configured to position a load, such as a metal conduit. The hoist is positioned to selectively compel the pipe vertically through the tube so that the load that is positioned on the plate is positioned at a desired height, such as proximate to a joist to which the metal conduit is to be is coupled.

Abstract: The invention is defined by an elongate member having a handle end and an opposite sock-engaging end. The member is longitudinally flexible and may be shaped into a generally frusto-conically shaped tube onto which a sock is applied. The sock-engaging lower portion includes longitudinally outwardly projecting shoulders, and preferably sock engaging structures, that engage the sock to retain the sock in place during use. Immediately adjacent to and contiguous with the sock-engaging lower portion is a heel portion that is flexible transversely to the longitudinal axis along the device and which defines a heel-receiving area where the user's heel is placed when being used. Immediately adjacent to and contiguous with the heel portion is an elongate portion and an extended handle portion that the user grasps to pull the entire device upwardly to cause the sock to be properly placed on the user's foot.

Abstract: The invention is defined by an elongate member having a handle end and an opposite sock-engaging end. The member is longitudinally flexible and may be shaped into a generally frusto-conically shaped tube onto which a sock is applied. The sock-engaging lower portion includes longitudinally outwardly projecting shoulders, and preferably sock engaging structures, that engage the sock to retain the sock in place during use. Immediately adjacent to and contiguous with the sock-engaging lower portion is a heel portion that is flexible transversely to the longitudinal axis along the device and which defines a heel-receiving area where the user's heel is placed when being used. Immediately adjacent to and contiguous with the heel portion is an elongate portion and an extended handle portion that the user grasps to pull the entire device upwardly to cause the sock to be properly placed on the user's foot.

Abstract: In performing a pattern search algorithm to find an optimal solution for an optimization, using a set of positive basis vectors that is non-maximal like a set of minimal positive basis vectors as search directions can sometimes causes the algorithm to converge at a non-optimal solution, like a horse saddle. The present invention provides a method to overcome this deficiency by rotating the vectors and hence increase the number of search directions.

Abstract: In performing a pattern search algorithm to find an optimal solution for an optimization, using a set of positive basis vectors that is non-maximal like a set of minimal positive basis vectors as search directions can sometimes causes the algorithm to converge at a non-optimal solution, like a horse saddle. The present invention provides a method to overcome this deficiency by rotating the vectors and hence increase the number of search directions.