Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a 4-hydroxybutyrate, 1,4-butanediol, or other product pathway and being capable of producing 4-hydroxybutyrate, 1,4-butanediol, or other product, wherein the microbial organism comprises one or more genetic modifications. The invention additionally provides methods of producing 4-hydroxybutyrate, 1,4-butanediol, or other product or related products using the microbial organisms.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate to a detector. The detector can include a loop functioning at a high frequency that emits a magnetic field. The magnetic field can be retrieved and a comparison can be made between the emitted magnetic field and the retrieved magnetic field. If there is substantially little difference between the emitted and retrieved field, then a determination can be that no object is present. Conversely, if there is a substantial difference between the emitted and retrieved field, then the determination can be that an object is present and thus the object is detected. If the object is present, the returned magnetic field can be further analyzed to determine the type of object that is detected.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate to a loop with a constant phase. The loop can function as an antenna and be used in object detection. A current source can be used to power the loop such that the loop produces a magnetic field and electric field. The magnetic field can be powerful enough to detect a dielectric while the electric field is so small that it does not interfere with nearby communication equipment. Thus, detection can occur without disruption of other important devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate to a loop with a constant phase. The loop can function as an antenna and be used in object detection. A current source can be used to power the loop such that the loop produces a magnetic field and an electric field. The magnetic field can be powerful enough to detect a dielectric while the electric field is so small that it does not interfere with nearby communication equipment. Thus, detection can occur without disruption of other important devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate to a loop with a constant phase. The loop can function as an antenna and be used in object detection. A current source can be used to power the loop such that the loop produces a magnetic field and electric field. The magnetic field can be powerful enough to detect a dielectric while the electric field is so small that it does not interfere with nearby communication equipment. Thus, detection can occur without disruption of other important devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate to a loop with a constant phase. The loop can function as an antenna and be used in object detection. A current source can be used to power the loop such that the loop produces a magnetic field and electric field. The magnetic field can be powerful enough to detect a dielectric while the electric field is so small that it does not interfere with nearby communication equipment. Thus, detection can occur without disruption of other important devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate to a loop with a constant phase. The loop can function as an antenna and be used in object detection. A current source can be used to power the loop such that the loop produces a magnetic field and electric field. The magnetic field can be powerful enough to detect a dielectric while the electric field is so small that it does not interfere with nearby communication equipment. Thus, detection can occur without disruption of other important devices.

Abstract: An image capturing system for a vehicle captures an image of a target area based on a predefined gesture performed by an occupant of the vehicle. A gesture capture device determines a gesture position of a gesture, which is the predefined gesture, with respect to a reference point. An eye tracking device determines an eye position of the occupant based on a viewpoint of the occupant. A target area determination module determines a target vector extending from the eye position toward the gesture position and aligns an on-board camera with the target vector, such that the target vector passes through an image field-of-view of the on-board camera. The on-board camera captures an image of the target area which is within the image field-of-view, and the image is stored in a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: In response to a change in a thermal operational parameter in a nuclear fission reactor, reactivity is controlled by driving a neutron absorption parameter modifying material to or from a region of the core of the nuclear fission reactor. The apparatus includes a driver material disposed in a first reservoir portion and a second reservoir portion of a first reservoir and connected by a first conduit. A high-Z material may be distributed in the driver material. The neutron absorption parameter modifying material is disposed in both a second reservoir and the second reservoir portion of the first reservoir. A portion of the neutron absorption parameter modifying material is in physical contact with a portion of the driver material in the second reservoir portion. The neutron absorption parameter modifying material is driveable by the driver material between the second reservoir portion and the second reservoir through a second conduit.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate to a detector. The detector can include a loop functioning at a high frequency that emits a magnetic field. The magnetic field can be retrieved and a comparison can be made between the emitted magnetic field and the retrieved magnetic field. If there is substantially little difference between the emitted and retrieved field, then a determination can be that no object is present. Conversely, if there is a substantial difference between the emitted and retrieved field, then the determination can be that an object is present and thus the object is detected. If the object is present, the returned magnetic field can be further analyzed to determine the type of object that is detected.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate to a loop with a constant phase. The loop can function as an antenna and be used in object detection. A current source can be used to power the loop such that the loop produces a magnetic field and electric field. The magnetic field can be powerful enough to detect a dielectric while the electric field is so small that it does not interfere with nearby communication equipment. Thus, detection can occur without disruption of other important devices.

Abstract: An image capturing system for a vehicle captures an image of a target area based on a predefined gesture performed by an occupant of the vehicle. A gesture capture device determines a gesture position of a gesture, which is the predefined gesture, with respect to a reference point. An eye tracking device determines an eye position of the occupant based on a viewpoint of the occupant. A target area determination module determines a target vector extending from the eye position toward the gesture position and aligns an on-board camera with the target vector, such that the target vector passes through an image field-of-view of the on-board camera. The on-board camera captures an image of the target area which is within the image field-of-view, and the image is stored in a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A fire stop for use with a light fixture in a suspended ceiling or wall. It prevents flames and smoke from passing through the light fixture and spreading throughout a building by moving above the ceiling or behind the walls. The fire stop has a lightweight enclosure that defines an interior space disposed above the suspended ceiling, or behind the wall. Contained within the interior space are a portion of the light fixture and a layer of intumescent material. The intumescent material forms a material with a relatively low thermal conductivity that substantially fills the interior space, impeding the movement of flames or smoke, when the intumescent material reaches at least a pre-determined activation temperature.

Abstract: A fire stop for use with a light fixture in a suspended ceiling or wall. It prevents flames and smoke from passing through the light fixture and spreading throughout a building by moving above the ceiling or behind the walls. The fire stop has a lightweight enclosure that defines an interior space disposed above the suspended ceiling, or behind the wall. Contained within the interior space are a portion of the light fixture and a layer of intumescent material. The intumescent material forms a material with a relatively low thermal conductivity that substantially fills the interior space, impeding the movement of flames or smoke, when the intumescent material reaches at least a pre-determined activation temperature.

Abstract: A rapid fire ball gun includes a hollow body supporting a pressurizable air vessel and an air pump coupled thereto through a check valve. An elongated cylindrical barrel is supported by the body and defines a cylindrical ball chamber having a plurality of spaced intermediate fields forming ball spaces therebetween and a final seal at the extending end of the cylindrical barrel. A plurality of compressible foam balls are received within the ball spaces between the intermediate seals with the outermost ball being received in a ball spaced defined between the final seal and the most forward intermediate seal. The cylindrical barrel is coupled to the pressurizable air vessel by a trigger valve mechanism which responds to trigger pressure by coupling the pressurized air within the air vessel to the barrel thereby expelling one or more of the compressible foam balls from the barrel.

Abstract: A double shot projectile launcher includes a hollow pistol-like body supporting a pair of forwardly extending hollow launch tubes having open ends. A pair of lightweight projectiles defining interior closed end passages are received upon the launch tubes. Each launch tube defines an annular detent groove which cooperates with an inwardly extending seal member on the projectiles to provide a sealing engagement and restraining force to improve launch performance. A compressible air bellows is supported on the upper portion of the gun body and is coupled to the launch tube through an air selection valve and trigger mechanism which permits the coupling of pressurized air from the bellows upon impact thereto to be directed selectively to either of the launch tubes through trigger positioning.