Abstract: An improved body for a stringed instrument wherein the base of the neck slides into a body pocket and onto a flexible protrusion, both made of the body material. The flexible protrusion is drawn toward the pocket by a fastener thereby clamping the base of the neck to the instrument body. No metal parts attach to the base of the neck. The only metal parts involved are the threaded fastener which draws the flexible protrusion toward the pocket and the threaded insert in the flexible protrusion to which this fastener threads. Most of the clamping assembly is hidden inside the body and neck and is not visible when the body and neck are connected. The neck can be removed and replaced rapidly allowing instrument storage in a smaller space and allowing necks of varying scale lengths, fret configurations, or fretboard radius to be attached to the same instrument.

Abstract: A conduit suitable for use in a high temperature, high pressure environment, the conduit having an elongate portion made of a first refractory metal and a fitting portion made of a second refractory metal attached to an axial end of the elongate portion. The attachment may be made by welding and the second refractory metal may have a greater yield strength than the first refractory metal.

Abstract: An improved body for a stringed instrument wherein the base of the neck slides into a body pocket and onto a flexible protrusion, both made of the body material. The flexible protrusion is drawn toward the pocket by a fastener thereby clamping the base of the neck to the instrument body. No metal parts attach to the base of the neck. The only metal parts involved are the threaded fastener which draws the flexible protrusion toward the pocket and the threaded insert in the flexible protrusion to which this fastener threads. Most of the clamping assembly is hidden inside the body and neck and is not visible when the body and neck are connected. The neck can be removed and replaced rapidly allowing instrument storage in a smaller space and allowing necks of varying scale lengths, fret configurations, or fretboard radius to be attached to the same instrument.

Abstract: A vertiport system dynamically updates configuration of a vertiport based on predicted usage of the vertiport during a given time frame. The vertiport system predicts vertiport usage using flight data and estimated passenger demands and determines a desired number of parking pads and a desired number of final approach and takeoff (FATO) pads for the vertiport during the time frame. Based on the desired number of parking pads and the desired number of FATO pads for the vertiport, the vertiport system determines an updated configuration of the vertiport. According to the updated configuration, the vertiport system updates the configuration of the vertiport for at least a portion of the time frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a rotatable fairing panel at a rear end of a sleeper cab. The rotatable fairing panel covers an opening between a trailer attached to a vehicle and the sleeper cab of the vehicle. The rotatable fairing panel has a closed position and an opened position. At least one locking assembly locks the rotatable fairing panel in place when in the closed position. The at least one locking assembly is configured to be unlocked by a user such that the rotatable fairing panel may be rotated from the closed position to the opened position such that a user may access the opening between the trailer attached to the vehicle and the sleeper cab of the vehicle. The at least one locking assembly automatically locks when the user rotates the rotatable fairing panel into the closed position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for detection of overfilled containers in sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example container capacity detection system for use with an item sortation machine may include a first sensor positioned to detect a remaining capacity of a first container in the item sortation system, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine, using the first sensor, that the remaining capacity of the first container is less than or equal to a first threshold, and to send a signal.

Abstract: A system for robot-assisted ultrasound scanning comprises a multi axis robot with an end effector, a transducer holding element for connecting an ultrasound transducer to the end effector, a user input arrangement having at least three separate proportional inputs representing desired ultrasound transducer displacement along X, Y and Z axes of an orthogonal coordinate system defining the ultrasound transducer motion, and a controller which is connected to the user input arrangement and which controls the end effector based on input. The controller acquires a 3D model of a surface to be scanned and is arranged to continuously update the orthogonal coordinate system defining the ultrasound transducer motion as the ultrasound transducer moves, the X, Y and Z axes are arranged as described. In this way, the operator can easily move the transducer along the surface of the area to be scanned.

Abstract: A polystyrene (PS) composition for making an extruded foam, the PS composition comprising: a dried PS/alumina compound comprising a PS and an alumina additive, wherein the dried PS/alumina compound has a moisture content, measured by Coulometer, that is less than or equal to about 0.05 weight percent (wt %); and a blowing agent.

Abstract: A guard assembly can be positionable in an installed position between a first roller and a second roller of a roller conveyor system. The guard assembly can include a first frame having a first contour shaped for receiving at least a portion of the first roller. The guard assembly can further include a second frame having a second contour shaped for receiving at least a portion of the second roller. The guard assembly can also include a biaser between the first frame and the second frame so as to urge the first frame toward the first roller and the second frame toward the second roller in the installed position.

Abstract: A valve seat for a ball valve. The valve seat having a valve seat body with a circumferential concave seating surface configured to mate with a curvature of the valve ball. A seal pocket formed within the valve seat body, the seal pocket having (i) an throat formed in the concave seating surface, (ii) an outer pocket sidewall, and (iii) an inner pocket sidewall. A retaining groove positioned below the throat on either the outer pocket sidewall or the inner pocket sidewall and a flexible seal element shaped for positioning in the seal pocket. The seal element includes (i) an extended lip configured to rest within the retaining groove when the seal element is seated in the seal pocket, and (ii) a sealing face with an upper end laying below the valve seat's concave seating surface and a mid-portion extending upward above a curvature path of the concave seating surface.

Abstract: A system for document extraction and targeted dissection, the system comprising: a memory device; a communication device; and a processing device configured to: receive a first document via communication channel over the network; extract user information from a first data field of the first document, wherein the first data field has a first data type and a first data format; store the user information and the first document in a document database; identify a second document comprising a second data field, wherein the second data field has the first data type; populate, automatically, the second data field of the second document with the extracted user information; display the second document in an electronic presentation via a user interface of a user device; and augment the electronic presentation of the second document in the user interface with supplemental data associated with the second document.

Abstract: A learning system includes a non-transitory memory, and one or more hardware processors configured or programmed to read instructions from the non-transitory memory to cause the learning system to perform operations including generating a user knowledge mesh including generating topic nodes each corresponding to a topic included in the user knowledge mesh, and generating concept nodes each corresponding to a key learnable concept, wherein each of the topic nodes is connected to another one of the topic nodes, each of the concept nodes is connected to one of the topic nodes, and each of the key learnable concepts includes one or more interactions related to the key learnable concept.

Abstract: A computing system for landing and storing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft can be configured to receive aircraft data, passenger data, or environment data associated with a VTOL aircraft and determine a landing pad location within a landing facility based on the aircraft data, passenger data, and/or environment data. The landing facility can include a lower level and an upper level. The lower level can include a lower landing area and a lower storage area. The upper level can include an upper landing area. At least a portion of the upper level can be arranged over the lower storage area. The landing pad location can include a location within the lower landing area or the upper landing area of the landing facility. The computing system can communicate the landing pad location to an operator or a navigation system of the VTOL aircraft.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement including a first fitting, a second fitting, and a rotational coupler which when turned presses the first fitting against the second fitting, in which the fittings engage rotationally to inhibit relative rotation of the fittings. For example, one of the fittings may have protrusions and the other fitting may have recesses arranged to receive the protrusions.

Abstract: An aerosolization apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having one or more air inlets. The chamber is sized to receive a capsule which contains an aerosolizable pharmaceutical formulation. The aerosolization apparatus further comprises a puncturing mechanism within the housing. The puncturing mechanism comprises an alignment guide and a puncture member, wherein the alignment guide comprises a surface adapted to contact the capsule while the puncture member is advanced into the capsule to create an opening in the capsule. At least a portion of the surface is sloped relative to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. Alternatively or additionally, the surface may comprise one or more protrusions. An end section is associated with the housing. The end section is sized and shaped to be received in a user's mouth or nose so that the user may inhale through the end section to inhale aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation that has exited the capsule through the opening created in the capsule.

Abstract: A computing system for landing and storing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft can be configured to receive aircraft data, passenger data, or environment data associated with a VTOL aircraft and determine a landing pad location within a landing facility based on the aircraft data, passenger data, and/or environment data. The landing facility can include a lower level and an upper level. The lower level can include a lower landing area and a lower storage area. The upper level can include an upper landing area. At least a portion of the upper level can be arranged over the lower storage area. The landing pad location can include a location within the lower landing area or the upper landing area of the landing facility. The computing system can communicate the landing pad location to an operator or a navigation system of the VTOL aircraft.

Abstract: A request for transport services that identifies a rider, an origin, and a destination is received from a client device. Eligibility of the request to be serviced by a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is determined based on the origin and the destination. The client device is sent an itinerary for servicing the transport request including a leg serviced by the VTOL aircraft. Confirmation is received that the rider has boarded the VTOL aircraft and determination made as to whether the VTOL aircraft should wait for additional riders. Instruction are sent to the VTOL aircraft to take-off if one or more conditions are met.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for flexible container chutes for sortation systems. In one embodiment, an example system may include a first extendable arm, a second extendable arm, a first flexible container removably coupled to the first extendable arm and the second extendable arm, and a second flexible container removably coupled to the first extendable arm and the second extendable arm. The system may include a chute assembly having a first ramp, a first separator coupled to a first end of the first ramp, a second ramp, and a second separator coupled to a second end of the second ramp. The first ramp and the second ramp may be vertically aligned, and the first flexible container may receive items via the first ramp, and the second flexible container may receive items via the second ramp.