Abstract: Systems and techniques that facilitate keyword-object taxonomy generation and utilization are provided. In various embodiments, a system can comprise a receiver component that can access an input object class. In various aspects, the system can comprise a taxonomy component that can output one or more keyword combinations that are non-redundant and relevant to the input object class, based on querying a keyword-object taxonomy. In various instances, the receiver component can access (and/or be provided with an electronic link to) a set of recorded keyword combinations and a set of recorded object classes respectively corresponding to the set of keyword combinations. In various cases, the taxonomy component can generate the keyword-object taxonomy based on the set of recorded keyword combinations and the set of recorded object classes.

Abstract: A proximity sensor including a structure suspending at least one lens above a circuit board, light emitters operable to project light beams through the lens along a common projection plane, light detectors operable to detect amounts of light arriving through the lens at the detector, wherein an object in the projection plane reflects light from an emitter to one or more of the detectors, and wherein each emitter-detector pair, including one of the emitters and one of the detectors, when synchronously activated, is expected to generate a greater detection signal at the activated detector than the other detectors, were they to be synchronously activated with any of the emitters, when the object is located at a specific 2D location in the projection plane corresponding to the emitter-detector pair, and a processor identifying gestures performed by the object based on amounts of light detected by the detector of each emitter-detector pair.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses genetically-modified immune cells (and populations thereof) expressing a microRNA-adapted shRNA (shRNAmiR) that reduces the expression of a target endogenous protein. Methods for reducing the expression of an endogenous protein in an immune cell are also provided wherein the method comprises introducing a shRNAmiR that targets the endogenous protein. Using shRNAmiRs for knocking down the expression of a target protein allows for stable knockdown of expression of endogenous proteins in immune cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for synchronizing nodes in a mesh network. A system in some embodiments may comprise a node having a counter that is incremented using a non-linear counting function. The node may be incremented using the function at intervals as measured by an internal oscillator of the node. The counter may also be incremented by a fixed amount when receiving a sync-packet from neighboring nodes. The non-linear counting function effectively smooths out the variability of the internal oscillator while the synchronization packet acts to keep the value of the counter synchronized with the value of the counters of neighboring nodes. This allows nodes in a mesh network to be synchronized for certain events while avoiding the issues of other synchronization techniques.

Abstract: Systems and techniques that facilitate keyword-object taxonomy generation and utilization are provided. In various embodiments, a system can comprise a receiver component that can access an input object class. In various aspects, the system can comprise a taxonomy component that can output one or more keyword combinations that are non-redundant and relevant to the input object class, based on querying a keyword-object taxonomy. In various instances, the receiver component can access (and/or be provided with an electronic link to) a set of recorded keyword combinations and a set of recorded object classes respectively corresponding to the set of keyword combinations. In various cases, the taxonomy component can generate the keyword-object taxonomy based on the set of recorded keyword combinations and the set of recorded object classes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing network traffic in a mesh network by reducing the number of status messages communicated over the network. The nodes of the network can provide status information to a gateway based on each node's distance from the gateway. The closer nodes respond to the request from the gateway first and then the farther nodes respond to the request. When a node is ready to transmit a status message with status information to the gateway, the node sends the message to the nodes in communication with the transmitting node. One of the closer nodes that receives the message then forwards the message to additional nodes in communication with the forwarding node, while the other nodes that received the message do not forward the message. The process of forwarding messages by a single closer node is repeated until the status information is received by the gateway.

Abstract: To speed up a firmware update process, a gateway performs an expedited topological discovery of networked nodes. The gateway maintains a list of unlinked network nodes that are not known to share good edges with other nodes. The gateway transmits a topology query to a selected unlinked node, which the node retransmits to its neighboring nodes. Each neighboring node responds to the gateway with a link status of the edge between the queried node and the neighbor. The queried node and each neighboring node with an edge of sufficient link quality are removed from the list of unlinked nodes. The process is repeated until no networked nodes remain in the list of unlinked nodes. The gateway then sends a firmware update to nodes that will in turn retransmit the update over identified good edges.

Abstract: A wind tunnel device defines a cyclical tunnel to receive continuous airflow. Airflow is delivered through the tunnel to a testing region that includes a first portion carrying an arm including a spray tip configured to spray particulates in the testing region at an angle, and a second portion including an enlarged cutout region configured to receive the angled sprayed particulates. As airflow carries the angled spray particulates into the second portion, the enlarged cutout region enables the spray particulates to pass through and exit the second portion of the testing region. Analysis in the second region may be conducted through transparent walls free of openings to minimize exposure of the spray particulates to the exterior of the device. A scrubber is adapted to extract spray mist from the airflow as the airflow exits the testing region and is re-circulated through the cyclical tunnel.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispenser includes a dispenser head, a diffuser, and a spout. The bottom of the dispenser head includes an outer wall and an inner wall that defines a channel therebetween which allows for the spout to be coupled thereto. The dispenser head includes a dispenser base formed with the inner wall and defines a diluent port and a concentrate port where the concentrate port is centrally positioned. The diffuser includes a cylindrical wall having a base extend inwardly from wall and which defines a channel within the middle of the base. The channel is aligned with the concentrate port and a portion of the base is aligned with the diluent port. The diffuser is designed to dispense agitated, whipped, foamed or frothed beverages by allowing the diluent to exit the diluent port and hit the base, thereby scattering the diluent into the concentrate stream at a high velocity.

Abstract: A wind tunnel device defines a cyclical tunnel to receive continuous airflow. Airflow is delivered through the tunnel to a testing region that includes a first portion carrying an arm including a spray tip configured to spray particulates in the testing region at an angle, and a second portion including an enlarged cutout region configured to receive the angled sprayed particulates. As airflow carries the angled spray particulates into the second portion, the enlarged cutout region enables the spray particulates to pass through and exit the second portion of the testing region. Analysis in the second region may be conducted through transparent walls free of openings to minimize exposure of the spray particulates to the exterior of the device. A scrubber is adapted to extract spray mist from the airflow as the airflow exits the testing region and is re-circulated through the cyclical tunnel.

Abstract: A wind tunnel device defines a cyclical tunnel to receive continuous airflow. Airflow is delivered through the tunnel to a testing region that includes a first portion carrying an arm including a spray tip configured to spray particulates in the testing region at an angle, and a second portion including an enlarged cutout region configured to receive the angled sprayed particulates. As airflow carries the angled spray particulates into the second portion, the enlarged cutout region enables the spray particulates to pass through and exit the second portion of the testing region. Analysis in the second region may be conducted through transparent walls free of openings to minimize exposure of the spray particulates to the exterior of the device. A scrubber is adapted to extract spray mist from the airflow as the airflow exits the testing region and is re-circulated through the cyclical tunnel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzyme variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; methods of using the variants and composition comprising variants.

Abstract: A method for purifying a protein product prepared in a fermentation process where the protein of interest is present in solid, crystalline or amorphous form in the fermentation container is disclosed, where the pH of the fermentation broth is adjusted to a low pH whereby the protein of interest dissolves and can be efficiently separated from insoluble.

Abstract: A method of installing an inground vehicle lift includes the steps of excavating an area to create a pit, lowering a housing which encloses the mechanical components of the lift into the pit via a support structure, coupling the housing with a lower rebar system and an upper rebar system via a plurality of anchors and a plurality of angled support members before or after lowering the housing into the pit, leveling the housing, pouring concrete into the pit to a level such that the lower rebar system is sufficiently embedded within the concrete, allowing the concrete to partially cure, detaching the housing from the support structure, backfilling the pit with backfill material, installing insulation within the pit above the backfill material, and pouring concrete into the pit to a level such that the upper rebar system is sufficiently embedded within the concrete.

Abstract: A wind tunnel device defines a cyclical tunnel to receive continuous airflow. Airflow is delivered through the tunnel to a testing region that includes a first portion carrying an arm including a spray tip configured to spray particulates in the testing region at an angle, and a second portion including an enlarged cutout region configured to receive the angled sprayed particulates. As airflow carries the angled spray particulates into the second portion, the enlarged cutout region enables the spray particulates to pass through and exit the second portion of the testing region. Analysis in the second region may be conducted through transparent walls free of openings to minimize exposure of the spray particulates to the exterior of the device. A scrubber is adapted to extract spray mist from the airflow as the airflow exits the testing region and is re-circulated through the cyclical tunnel.

Abstract: A wind tunnel device defines a cyclical tunnel to receive continuous airflow. Airflow is delivered through the tunnel to a testing region that includes a first portion carrying an arm including a spray tip configured to spray particulates in the testing region at an angle, and a second portion including an enlarged cutout region configured to receive the angled sprayed particulates. As airflow carries the angled spray particulates into the second portion, the enlarged cutout region enables the spray particulates to pass through and exit the second portion of the testing region. Analysis in the second region may be conducted through transparent walls free of openings to minimize exposure of the spray particulates to the exterior of the device. A scrubber is adapted to extract spray mist from the airflow as the airflow exits the testing region and is re-circulated through the cyclical tunnel.

Abstract: A bay for a belt conveyor structure, the bay includes a transverse support stand having a first part that is positionable adjacent one longitudinal edge of the belt. The transverse support stand also includes a second part that is positionable adjacent the other longitudinal edge of the belt. A third part of the transverse support stand spans between the first part and the second part. The bay also includes a stringer having a proximal end removeably attachable to the stand and a distal end which is for engagement with a subsequent bay. The proximal end of the stringer is attachable to the first part of the stand at at least two spaced apart locations. The proximal end of the stringer is also attachable to the third part of the stand.

Abstract: A method of producing an enzyme of interest in a fed-batch cultivation comprising: a) cultivating a microorganism in a culture medium conducive to its growth wherein the microorganism produces the enzyme of interest; and b) adding a manganese compound to the culture medium one or more times during the cultivation.

Abstract: A wind tunnel device defines a cyclical tunnel to receive continuous airflow. Airflow is delivered through the tunnel to a testing region that includes a first portion carrying an arm including a spray tip configured to spray particulates in the testing region at an angle, and a second portion including an enlarged cutout region configured to receive the angled sprayed particulates. As airflow carries the angled spray particulates into the second portion, the enlarged cutout region enables the spray particulates to pass through and exit the second portion of the testing region. Analysis in the second region may be conducted through transparent walls free of openings to minimize exposure of the spray particulates to the exterior of the device. A scrubber is adapted to extract spray mist from the airflow as the airflow exits the testing region and is re-circulated through the cyclical tunnel.