Abstract: A lighting device may include one or more light sources, a load control circuit configured to control an amount of power delivered to each of the one or more light sources, and a control circuit for controlling the load control circuit to control an intensity level and a color of the cumulative light emitted by the one or more light sources. The control circuit may be configured to generate a show. For example, the control circuit may be configured to receive, via the communication circuit, show information and auxiliary information from a computing device in one or more messages. The control circuit may be configured to store the show information and the auxiliary information in memory of the lighting device. The control circuit may be configured to receive, via the communication circuit, a command to execute a show in a message, and in response, generate the show.

Abstract: An electric drive system for a vehicle and method includes controlling a propulsion system of the vehicle to operate according to a first torque-speed relationship between a power generated by an engine and a speed of the engine. The engine is controlled according to the first torque-speed relationship during acceleration of the vehicle by motors that are powered by operation of the engine. The method includes determining that operation of the propulsion system has reached a steady state following the propulsion system operating according to the first torque-speed relationship and controlling the propulsion system to operate according to a second torque-speed relationship between the power and the speed of the engine. The second torque-speed relationship is reduced relative to the first torque-speed relationship such that the engine speed in the first torque-speed relationship is associated with a greater amount of power than in the second torque-speed relationship.

Abstract: An electric drive system for a vehicle and a method includes determining a headroom target for a drive system of a vehicle that includes an engine. The method includes determining whether a current speed of the engine can be decreased while the engine continues to provide a requested traction output of the drive system, and responsive to determining that the current speed of the engine can be decreased, decreasing the current speed of the engine to a reduced speed while the engine maintains the headroom target determined by the drive system.

Abstract: A vehicle control system determines that a vehicle is not fully loaded with a payload, determines an upper limit on engine propulsion power for the vehicle that is not fully loaded with the payload, and reduces an engine speed of the vehicle to a determined speed at which a power capability of an engine of the vehicle matches the upper limit on the engine propulsion power of the vehicle.

Abstract: Provided are Cas9 enzymes that have mutations that enhance their properties, relative to un-mutated Cas9. The altered Cas9 enzymes exhibit i) an increased rate of spacer acquisition, or ii) increased cleavage efficiency of targets with NAG PAMs, or a combination of i) and ii). The altered Cas9 enzymes comprise an amino acid substitution of 1473 and K500 in a Streptococcus pyogenes or similar Cas9 enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides, including expression vectors that encode the Cas9 enzymes, cells that contain the polynucleotides, and methods of making and using such cells. The disclosure includes tagging, or labelling bacteria, and for enhancing phage acquired immunity in bacteria, such as those used in industrial processes, including the food and beverage industry, such as the dairy industry. The food products are also included.

Abstract: The present soft tissue mobilization device has a quick-release bar clamp and various attachments for its jaws that exert pressure on soft tissue to improve mobility. The bar clamp allows for applying sustained and incremental pressure at various angles. The shape of the attachment surfaces that contact the soft tissue are either complementary toward each other, when they are intended to squeeze the targeted soft tissue between them, or to the body structure against which they are intended to press. Combining a more helpful means of generating and exerting pressure with the right surface contours significantly improves the overall effectiveness of the device, diminishes any associated pain and discomfort, and reduces the time necessary to achieve results.

Abstract: The present soft tissue mobilization device has a quick-release bar clamp and various attachments for its jaws that exert pressure on soft tissue to improve mobility. The bar clamp allows for applying sustained and incremental pressure at various angles. The shape of the attachment surfaces that contact the soft tissue are either complementary toward each other, when they are intended to squeeze the targeted soft tissue between them, or to the body structure against which they are intended to press. Combining a more helpful means of generating and exerting pressure with the right surface contours significantly improves the overall effectiveness of the device, diminishes any associated pain and discomfort, and reduces the time necessary to achieve results.

Abstract: An apparatus which includes a trough for receiving a user's shoe. The trough includes a removal portal. The apparatus includes a vacuum capable of causing a shoe cover to be removed from the shoe of a user when a user places a shoe covered by a shoe cover into the trough. An actuator is triggered by the placement of an object in the trough, the triggering of the actuator causing the vacuum to activate. The vacuum activation causes the shoe cover to be sucked through the removal portal and into a primary chamber. The primary chamber collects the removed shoe covers and is disposed in a remote from the trough for preventing debris and other contaminants from being stored in a clean room. The apparatus may also include multiple troughs connected to one or more primary chambers.

Abstract: Provided are Cas9 enzymes that have mutations that enhance their properties, relative to un-mutated Cas9. The altered Cas9 enzymes exhibit i) an increased rate of spacer acquisition, or ii) increased cleavage efficiency of targets with NAG PAMs, or a combination of i) and ii). The altered Cas9 enzymes comprise an amino acid substitution of 1473 and K500 in a Streptococcus pyogenes or similar Cas9 enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides, including expression vectors that encode the Cas9 enzymes, cells that contain the polynucleotides, and methods of making and using such cells. The disclosure includes tagging, or labelling bacteria, and for enhancing phage acquired immunity in bacteria, such as those used in industrial processes, including the food and beverage industry, such as the dairy industry. The food products are also included.

Abstract: The present soft tissue mobilization device has a quick-release bar clamp and various attachments for its jaws that exert pressure on soft tissue to improve mobility. The bar clamp allows for applying sustained and incremental pressure at various angles. The shape of the attachment surfaces that contact the soft tissue are either complementary toward each other, when they are intended to squeeze the targeted soft tissue between them, or to the body structure against which they are intended to press. Combining a more helpful means of generating and exerting pressure with the right surface contours significantly improves the overall effectiveness of the device, diminishes any associated pain and discomfort, and reduces the time necessary to achieve results.

Abstract: An apparatus which includes a trough for receiving a user's shoe. The trough includes a removal portal. The apparatus includes a vacuum capable of causing a shoe cover to be removed from the shoe of a user when a user places a shoe covered by a shoe cover into the trough. An actuator is triggered by the placement of an object in the trough, the triggering of the actuator causing the vacuum to activate. The vacuum activation causes the shoe cover to be sucked through the removal portal and into a primary chamber. The primary chamber collects the removed shoe covers and is disposed in a remote from the trough for preventing debris and other contaminants from being stored in a clean room. The apparatus may also include multiple troughs connected to one or more primary chambers.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of forming hollow spheres are provided. Hollow sphere forming apparatus incorporate a bubble forming nozzle assembly in which outlets for gas and liquid materials are disposed substantially coaxially. The relative positions of the gas and liquid outlets are adjustable in at least one dimension (e.g., axially, radially or angularly relative to each other), such that a more uniform annular exit region for the gas and liquid outlets may be configured, such that more symmetric bubbles may be formed thus reducing the rejection rate in solidified bubbles due to asymmetry or decentering of entrapped gas.

Abstract: A bootie application device that provides booties that slide along a rail system on tabs that releasably connect the booties to the rail system. A sensor detects when booties are not disposed at a position along the rail system and issues a bootie level signal. An alert indicates when the bootie level signal has been issued.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of forming hollow spheres are provided. Hollow sphere forming apparatus incorporate a bubble forming nozzle assembly in which outlets for gas and liquid materials are disposed substantially coaxially. The relative positions of the gas and liquid outlets are adjustable in at least one dimension (e.g., axially, radially or angularly relative to each other), such that a more uniform annular exit region for the gas and liquid outlets may be configured, such that more symmetric bubbles may be formed thus reducing the rejection rate in solidified bubbles due to asymmetry or decentering of entrapped gas.

Abstract: A bootie application device that provides booties that slide along a rail system on tabs that releasably connect the booties to the rail system. A sensor detects when booties are not disposed at a position along the rail system and issues a bootie level signal. An alert indicates when the bootie level signal has been issued.

Abstract: A bootie application device that provides booties that slide along a rail system on tabs that releasably connect the booties to the rail system. A tensioning apparatus connects the rail system to the bootie application device. When an increased tension is applied to the rail system, the tensioning apparatus permits the rail system to move away from the application device by the expansion of the tensioning apparatus. When the increased tension is removed from the rail system, the rail system is drawn back toward the application device by the contraction of the tensioning apparatus.

Abstract: A wetness monitoring system is provided for an absorbent article, the wetness monitoring system including a signaling device including an alarm to indicate that the absorbent article has reached an insult limit. The signaling device operates with a sensor array which is disposed on the outermost surface of the absorbent article outer cover. The signaling device includes a detection circuit which measures changes in inductance or capacitance. The wetness monitoring system does not make direct contact with the absorbent structure located within an outer cover of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A bootie application device that provides booties that slide along a rail system on tabs that releasably connect the booties to the rail system. A tensioning apparatus connects the rail system to the bootie application device. When an increased tension is applied to the rail system, the tensioning apparatus permits the rail system to move away from the application device by the expansion of the tensioning apparatus. When the increased tension is removed from the rail system, the rail system is drawn back toward the application device by the contraction of the tensioning apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus which includes a trough for receiving a user's shoe. The trough includes a removal portal. The apparatus includes a vacuum capable of causing a shoe cover to be removed from the shoe of a user when a user places a shoe covered by a shoe cover into the trough. An actuator is triggered by the placement of an object in the trough, the triggering of the actuator causing the vacuum to activate. The vacuum activation causes the shoe cover to be sucked through the removal portal and into a primary chamber. The primary chamber collects the removed shoe covers and is disposed in a remote from the trough for preventing debris and other contaminants from being stored in a clean room. The apparatus may also include multiple troughs connected to one or more primary chambers.

Abstract: A conductivity sensor is disclosed. The conductivity sensor includes an oscillator for providing an input signal and a reactive circuit having an induction coil, a capacitive element, and a resistive element connected in parallel. The induction coil is adapted to be placed adjacent to a specimen. The conductivity sensor further includes a control circuit for driving the reactive circuit to resonance when the induction coil is placed adjacent to the specimen. The reactive coil is configured to provide an output signal having a parameter representative of the conductivity of the specimen when the reactive circuit is at resonance. The induction coil may include a first conductive element that spirals outward to an external perimeter and a second conductive element operably connected to the first conductive element. The second conductive element spirals inward from the external perimeter staggered relative to the first conductive element.