Abstract: Engineered Streptococcus canis Cas9 (ScCas9) variants include an ScCas9 protein with its PID being the PID amino acid composition of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9-NG, an ScCas9 protein having a threonine-to-lysine substitution mutation at position 1227 in its amino acid sequence (Sc+), and an ScCas9 protein having a threonine-to-lysine substitution mutation at position 1227 and a substitution of residues ADKKLRKRSGKLATE [SEQ ID No. 4] in position 365-379 in the ScCas9 open reading frame (Sc++). Also included are CRISPR-associated DNA endonucleases with a PAM specificity of 5?-NG-3? or 5?-NNG-3? and a method of altering expression of a gene product by utilizing the engineered ScCas9 variants.

Abstract: A ventilator including a housing having a front panel, and a rear panel opposite the front panel and configured to couple to the front panel, a receptacle coupled to the rear panel of the housing, the receptacle having a recess, a sealing element disposed within the recess, the sealing element having an inlet and an aperture, and a blower having a blower outlet and a blower inlet, the blower inlet coupled to the sealing element such that the blower inlet at least partially abuts the aperture. The receptacle and the sealing element may comprise an airflow pathway configured to allow for flow of air from the inlet of the sealing element into the blower inlet and out of the blower outlet.

Abstract: Metal(s) (including various alloys, such as INCONEL(R) superalloys) are characterized by having carbon disposed within the metal lattice structure thereof. The carbon is primarily, or entirely, present at interstitial sites of the metal lattice, and may be present in amounts ranging from about 1.5 wt % to about 90 wt %. Carbon may be present in the form of graphene, which may be characterized as one or more coherent, planar layers of graphene. The carbon, moreover, forms non-polar covalent bonds with both metal atoms of the lattice and other carbon atoms present in the lattice. This facilitates substantially homogeneous dispersal of the carbon throughout the resultant material, conveying unique and advantageous properties such as strength-to-weight ratio, density, mechanical toughness, sheer strength, flex strength, hardness, anti-corrosiveness, electrical and/or thermal conductivity, etc. as described herein. In some approaches, the composition of matter may be powderized, or the powder may be pelletized.

Abstract: A system and method for growing and maintaining biological material including producing a protein associated with the tissue, selecting cells associated with the tissue, expanding the cells, creating at least one tissue bio-ink including the expanded cells, printing the at least one tissue bio-ink in at least one tissue growth medium mixture, growing the tissue from the printed at least one tissue bio-ink, and maintaining viability of the tissue.

Abstract: A lighting fixture appears as a skylight and is referred to as a skylight fixture. First and second light engines of the fixture provide different color points, peak light intensity angles, far-field light distribution characteristics, and/or circadian stimulus values. A skylight fixture may include a sky-resembling assembly and a plurality of sun-resembling assemblies, with dedicated optical assemblies and/or light sources. A lighting fixture may include multiple waveguides that different extraction feature patterns and/or may be sequentially arranged.

Abstract: Fabric drop-down diffusers are disclosed. An example drop-down diffuser includes a hoop to be supported adjacent an end of an air duct, and a first fabric sheet to hang downward from the hoop. The first fabric sheet to define a first wall of an air chamber adjacent the hoop on a side of the hoop opposite the air duct. The first fabric sheet to completely surround the air chamber along a circumferential path corresponding to the hoop. The hoop to be transverse to the air duct and positioned so that air delivered by the air duct is to pass through the hoop and into the air chamber. The drop-down diffuser also includes a second fabric sheet to be coupled to the first fabric sheet. The second fabric sheet to define a second wall of the air chamber.

Abstract: Fabric drop-down diffusers are disclosed. An example drop-down diffuser includes an upper panel including an upper fabric sheet to be held in radial tension by an upper hoop. The upper panel defines a supply air inlet. The example drop-down diffuser further includes a lower panel to be underneath and spaced apart from the upper panel. The example drop-down diffuser also includes a circumferential fabric sheet to encircle the upper panel and the lower panel. The circumferential fabric sheet is to extend downward from the upper panel to the lower panel to define an air chamber bordered by the upper panel, the lower panel and the circumferential fabric sheet. The air chamber is connected in fluid communication with the supply air inlet.

Abstract: Fabric drop-down diffusers are disclosed. An example drop-down diffuser includes an upper panel including an upper fabric sheet to be held in radial tension by an upper hoop. The upper panel defines a supply air inlet. The example drop-down diffuser further includes a lower panel to be underneath and spaced apart from the upper panel. The example drop-down diffuser also includes a circumferential fabric sheet to encircle the upper panel and the lower panel. The circumferential fabric sheet is to extend downward from the upper panel to the lower panel to define an air chamber bordered by the upper panel, the lower panel and the circumferential fabric sheet. The air chamber is connected in fluid communication with the supply air inlet.

Abstract: Fabric silencers for air ducts are disclosed. An example air duct silencer system includes an inner tube being of a first pliable material, the inner tube defining an airway extending along the inner tube. The example air duct silencer system further includes an outer tube being of a second pliable material, the outer tube to encircle the inner tube to define an annular space between the outer tube and the inner tube. The example air duct silencer system also includes a sound absorbing material to be disposed within the annular space.

Abstract: A sturdy, transportable bean bag toss game intended for play in a shallow body of water. Floating receptacles are used as the targets and bags are tossed into the receptacles to score points. Game utilizes some of the principles of traditional corn hole bean bag toss game, with the intention to have a game that can be played in shallow bodies of water, including swimming pools, lakes, and rivers. Construction materials are lightweight, durable, easily transported, waterproof, and quick drying.

Abstract: In some example pliable air duct systems, inflatable ducts of various diameters and lengths are created by selectively assembling pre-existing stock pieces in different combinations. In some examples, the stock pieces include disconnectable longitudinal joints and disconnectable circumferential joints, wherein the longitudinal joints enable interconnecting multiple stock pieces to achieve a desired tube diameter, and the circumferential joints allow connecting multiple tube segments end-to-end to produce an air duct assembly of a desired length. To control the volume and/or the direction of air discharged from the duct, the duct assembly, in some examples, includes an adjustable register comprising a movable pliable sheet that overlies a discharge opening in a pliable sidewall of the duct. In some examples, the inflatable duct includes one or more cutout patterns on the duct's sidewall to provide guidance in creating a sidewall discharge opening of a proper size and location.

Abstract: An external suspension system for supporting an inflatable air duct includes a series of external hangers that help hold the duct open while the duct is deflated. In some embodiments, the suspension system supports the duct at a series of points that are broadly distributed in a staggered pattern across the duct, yet the entire duct can be suspended from a single overhead cable, even if the duct is a stepped tube with multiple diameters. The system includes novel ways of locking the hangers to the duct and to the overhead cable.

Abstract: Fabric silencers for air ducts are disclosed. An example air duct silencer system includes an inner tube being of a first pliable material, the inner tube defining an airway extending along the inner tube. The example air duct silencer system further includes an outer tube being of a second pliable material, the outer tube to encircle the inner tube to define an annular space between the outer tube and the inner tube. The example air duct silencer system also includes a sound absorbing material to be disposed within the annular space.

Abstract: In some example pliable air duct systems, inflatable ducts of various diameters and lengths are created by selectively assembling pre-existing stock pieces in different combinations. In some examples, the stock pieces include disconnectable longitudinal joints and disconnectable circumferential joints, wherein the longitudinal joints enable interconnecting multiple stock pieces to achieve a desired tube diameter, and the circumferential joints allow connecting multiple tube segments end-to-end to produce an air duct assembly of a desired length. To control the volume and/or the direction of air discharged from the duct, the duct assembly, in some examples, includes an adjustable register comprising a movable pliable sheet that overlies a discharge opening in a pliable sidewall of the duct. In some examples, the inflatable duct includes one or more cutout patterns on the duct's sidewall to provide guidance in creating a sidewall discharge opening of a proper size and location.

Abstract: Inflatable air ducts with low height-to-width ratios are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a first side sheet, and a second side sheet spaced apart from the first side sheet and extending between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The top, bottom, first side, and second side sheets provide an inflatable air duct having an inflated state and a deflated state. The inflatable air duct has an inflated length greater than an inflated width. The inflated width is more than twice as great as an inflated height. The interior of the inflatable air duct defining an air passageway having a first airway, a second airway, and an intermediate airway. The intermediate airway is adjacent the first airway at a first transition area. The example air duct system also includes a second transition area between the intermediate airway and the second airway.

Abstract: Inflatable air ducts with low height-to-width ratios are disclosed. An example air duct system includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, a first side sheet, and a second side sheet spaced apart from the first side sheet and extending between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The top, bottom, first side, and second side sheets provide an inflatable air duct having an inflated state and a deflated state. The inflatable air duct has an inflated length greater than an inflated width. The inflated width is more than twice as great as an inflated height. The interior of the inflatable air duct defining an air passageway having a first airway, a second airway, and an intermediate airway. The intermediate airway is adjacent the first airway at a first transition area. The example air duct system also includes a second transition area between the intermediate airway and the second airway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for coupling the lid of a trash can to the body of a trash can. The device of the invention comprises an elongated tether with a first end and second end, the first end and the second end of the elongated tether terminate in loops capable of engaging with connectors to mount the ends of the tether to the lid and body of a trash can. The invention also comprises methods of coupling the lid portion of a trash can to the body portion of a trash can using the device of the present invention.

Abstract: In some example pliable air duct systems, inflatable ducts of various diameters and lengths are created by selectively assembling pre-existing stock pieces in different combinations. In some examples, the stock pieces include disconnectable longitudinal joints and disconnectable circumferential joints, wherein the longitudinal joints enable interconnecting multiple stock pieces to achieve a desired tube diameter, and the circumferential joints allow connecting multiple tube segments end-to-end to produce an air duct assembly of a desired length. To control the volume and/or the direction of air discharged from the duct, the duct assembly, in some examples, includes an adjustable register comprising a movable pliable sheet that overlies a discharge opening in a pliable sidewall of the duct. In some examples, the inflatable duct includes one or more cutout patterns on the duct's sidewall to provide guidance in creating a sidewall discharge opening of a proper size and location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing communication in a multiprocessor are disclosed. In one exemplary implementation a first processor receives a request to provide a communication resource for an application executing on the first processor to communicate with a remote application. In response to the communication request, the first processor opens a communication resource on a second processor, and manages communication operations between the application executing on the first processor and the remote application using the communication resource on the second processor.