Abstract: Interbody spacers are expandable horizontally and vertically by an application of axial force, and lockable in an expanded configuration. The spacers include support members interconnected to end bodies by pivotable link members. The spacers are introduced between vertebral bodies in a compressed configuration and expanded to fill the intervertebral space and provide support and selective lordotic correction. Graft material may be introduced into the expanded spacer. Provisional and/or supplementary locking means lock the spacers in the expanded configuration. Embodiments of the spacers include symmetrically and asymmetrically configured spacers. Methods of expansion include symmetric expansion or asymmetric expansion along each of two directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an apex or an apex in combination with a bead, the method comprising the steps of: winding a strip of rubber onto a rotatable platen to form an apex, wherein the rotatable platen may further include a radially expandable bead chuck for supporting a bead. The rotatable platen may optionally include a nonstick coating such as titanium nitride and optionally include one or more radially oriented bars. The optional one or more radially oriented bars may be movable into a first position flush with the outer surface of the platen, and movable into a second position that preferably is nonflush and protrudes from the outer surface of the platen. The rotatable platen is further optionally retractable from the bead chuck to facilitate removal of the apex from the apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to scheduling maintenance services for a special-purpose vehicle. An example method for scheduling a service for a special-purpose vehicle includes: obtaining usage information for the special-purpose vehicle of a user, determining, based on the usage information, that the special-purpose vehicle is due for vehicle maintenance, providing, to a computing device of a service provider, a request to schedule the vehicle maintenance for the special-purpose vehicle according to an available service method type for the vehicle maintenance, receiving, from the computing device of the service provider, an indication that the service has been scheduled, and providing, in response to the received indication the service has been scheduled, an indication to a device of the user that the vehicle maintenance has been scheduled for the special-purpose vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a fast payment is described. A request to execute a payout to a payee account is received, where the request includes information about the payout. At least one payment rail available for the requested payout is determined from a plurality of payment rails based on the included information. Rules associated with each of the at least one payment rail are identified. A fastest payment rail is determined from the at least one payment rail for executing the payout based on the identified rules and the information about the payout. The payout is then executed over the determined fastest payment rail.

Abstract: Blade root receptacle for receiving a blade root of a rotor blade of a turbomachine. The blade root receptacle, for radially bearing in a form-fitting manner on the blade root, has a supporting flank which, in terms of a rotation axis, at least in proportions faces radially inward, wherein the supporting flank is provided with a convexity which, when viewed in an axially perpendicular section, at least in portions has a convex shape and, also when viewed in an axially parallel section, at least in portions has a convex shape.

Abstract: A method for updating a map of the surrounding area wherein the map is used when controlling a transportation vehicle. The transportation vehicle attempts, when travelling along a carriageway, to detect a landmark recorded in the map of the surrounding area using sensors. In response to the transportation vehicle being unable to detect the landmark using its sensors, the transportation vehicle prepares a proposal for deletion which is sent to an external central computer. The proposal for deletion is examined in the external central computer and deletes the landmark from the map of the surrounding area in response to the proposal for deletion being verified. In the method, information regarding a visibility range for the landmark is entered in the map of the surrounding area specifying at what range the landmark is visible from a road permitting a more effective detection of landmarks.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate scheduling maintenance services for a special-purpose vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, a user device comprises a user interface, a processor, and memory comprising instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to output, to the user interface, a plurality of service method icons. The plurality of service methods comprise a first service method icon corresponding to a service being performed on the special-purpose vehicle at a first location and a second service method icon corresponding to the service being performed on the special-purpose vehicle at a second location. The first location and the second location are different locations. The memory also comprises instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to receive, via the user interface, a selection of a service method icon of the plurality of service method icons and send, to a scheduling server, a signal corresponding to the selected service method icon.

Abstract: Systems and vehicles including a pop-out trunk/frunk and methods of using the same. A system may include a storage compartment. The storage compartment may have a base configured to receive a payload. The system may further include a trunk/frunk area. The trunk/frunk area may be configured to receive the storage compartment. The system may further include a mechanism. The mechanism may be attachable to the storage compartment and configured to traverse the storage compartment between an up position where the storage compartment extends up and out of the trunk/frunk area and a down position where the storage compartment is within the trunk/frunk area.

Abstract: Interbody spacers are expandable horizontally and vertically by an application of axial force, and lockable in an expanded configuration. The spacers include support members interconnected to end bodies by pivotable link members. The spacers are introduced between vertebral bodies in a compressed configuration and expanded to fill the intervertebral space and provide support and selective lordotic correction. Graft material may be introduced into the expanded spacer. Provisional and/or supplementary locking means lock the spacers in the expanded configuration. Embodiments of the spacers include symmetrically and asymmetrically configured spacers. Methods of expansion include symmetric expansion or asymmetric expansion along each of two directions.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a fast payment is described. A request to execute a payout to a payee account is received, where the request includes information about the payout. At least one payment rail available for the requested payout is determined from a plurality of payment rails based on the included information. Rules associated with each of the at least one payment rail are identified. A fastest payment rail is determined from the at least one payment rail for executing the payout based on the identified rules and the information about the payout. The payout is then executed over the determined fastest payment rail.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.

Abstract: An intervertebral spacer implant (80) is provided with a retention mechanism (86) to help alleviate expulsion and movement of the implant when placed in the spine while providing an implant that is easier to insert in the spine. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises a keel on at least one of the inferior or superior faces of the spacer implant preferably extending in an anterior-posterior direction. In another embodiment the implant comprises a spacer (84) and a plate (82), the plate comprising a supplemental or alternative retention mechanism. In one embodiment the retention mechanism comprises one or more holes (88) in the anterior end of the plate. In yet another embodiment, the retention mechanism comprises one or more blades that are in a first position when inserted and are preferably rotated to a second position that engages the superior and inferior vertebrae.

Abstract: A vehicle air register assembly includes a housing defining a cavity. An upstream portion of the cavity is disposed proximate to an inlet and a downstream portion of the cavity is disposed proximate to an outlet. Vertical vanes are disposed within the upstream portion. The vertical vanes direct air in a horizontal direction. A horizontal vane assembly is disposed within the downstream portion. The horizontal vane assembly directs the air in a vertical direction. The horizontal vane assembly includes at least one horizontal vane including a driver portion rotatably coupled to the housing proximate to the outlet and a follower portion coupled to the housing proximate to the upstream portion. The follower portion is rotatably coupled to the driver portion.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a fast payment is described. A request to execute a payout to a payee account is received, where the request includes information about the payout. At least one payment rail available for the requested payout is determined from a plurality of payment rails based on the included information. Rules associated with each of the at least one payment rail are identified. A fastest payment rail is determined from the at least one payment rail for executing the payout based on the identified rules and the information about the payout. The payout is then executed over the determined fastest payment rail.

Abstract: Blade root receptacle for receiving a blade root of a rotor blade of a turbomachine. The blade root receptacle, for radially bearing in a form-fitting manner on the blade root, has a supporting flank which, in terms of a rotation axis, at least in proportions faces radially inward, wherein the supporting flank is provided with a convexity which, when viewed in an axially perpendicular section, at least in portions has a convex shape and, also when viewed in an axially parallel section, at least in portions has a convex shape.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into the disc space between vertebrae. The implant including a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, a plurality of bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively uncoupling from the implant.

Abstract: A vehicle air register assembly includes a housing defining a cavity. An upstream portion of the cavity is disposed proximate to an inlet and a downstream portion of the cavity is disposed proximate to an outlet. Vertical vanes are disposed within the upstream portion. The vertical vanes direct air in a horizontal direction. A horizontal vane assembly is disposed within the downstream portion. The horizontal vane assembly directs the air in a vertical direction. The horizontal vane assembly includes at least one horizontal vane including a driver portion rotatably coupled to the housing proximate to the outlet and a follower portion coupled to the housing proximate to the upstream portion. The follower portion is rotatably coupled to the driver portion.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a fast payment is described. A request to execute a payout to a payee account is received, where the request includes information about the payout. At least one payment rail available for the requested payout is determined from a plurality of payment rails based on the included information. Rules associated with each of the at least one payment rail are identified. A fastest payment rail is determined from the at least one payment rail for executing the payout based on the identified rules and the information about the payout. The payout is then executed over the determined fastest payment rail.