Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes collecting data from at least one component of a micromobility vehicle. The method includes analyzing the data to determine whether a condition of the micromobility vehicle corresponds to an unsafe condition. The method includes determining, based on analysis, that the condition of the micromobility vehicle corresponds to the unsafe condition. The method includes activating an immobilization lock on the micromobility vehicle to immobilize a wheel of the micromobility vehicle responsive to determining that the condition of the micromobility vehicle corresponds to the unsafe condition.

Abstract: Merchandise security systems and methods are provided. In one example, a merchandise security system includes a plurality of security devices arranged in a wireless network, wherein the plurality of security devices are arranged in a planogram and each configured to protect one or more items from theft, each of the plurality of security devices configured to wirelessly communicate data with a remote device. The system also includes a plurality of electronic keys arranged in the wireless network and configured to wirelessly communicate data with the plurality of security devices and/or the remote device. Each of the plurality of electronic keys is configured to operate the plurality of security devices. The system also includes a gateway configured to receive the data from the plurality of security devices and electronic keys via wireless communication, wherein the gateway is configured to communicate the data to the remote computing device.

Abstract: A tissue cutting assembly used for cutting tissue samples from a tissue sample includes a substrate configured to receive the tissue sample thereon, a frame defining an opening through which the tissue sample is exposed, and a tissue cutting guide positioned and held stationary within the opening in at least two distinct positions onto the tissue sample. The tissue cutting guide defines one or more cutting slits through which a user can insert and guide a cutting device to cut the tissue sample along a length corresponding to the length of the one or more slits in each of the at least two distinct positions to form cut tissue samples of desired widths and lengths.

Abstract: The subject disclosure provides for a system for protecting a tissue specimen. The system also includes a tray having a base with a surface portion for supporting the tissue specimen and a receiver portion, and a spacer with a body portion and a securing portion engaging the receiver portion of the base to position the body portion above the surface portion of the base. The system also includes a sterile container having a top and a bottom defining a cavity with the tray positionable within the cavity such that the body portion of the spacer engages the top of the sterile container to elevate the top of the sterile container away from the surface portion of the base for protecting the tissue specimen from contamination.

Abstract: A device for administering a fluid into a human cavity or animal cavity through an orifice includes a container for housing a fluid. The container includes a bottom portion, a tip portion, and a directional flange disposed between the bottom portion and the tip portion. The bottom portion has a bottom, a squeezing section, and a narrowing section adjacent the directional flange. The tip portion has an end section with an end face and a body section defining an elongated structure extending from the directional flange to the end face. The directional flange comprises an upper surface and a lower surface connected to one another by an edge and the edge has a rigidity less than the tip portion such that the edge collapses in response to a force applied to the tip portion causing movement of the end face relative to the bottom portion.

Abstract: A device for photographing a human face comprising: a) a light-excluding housing configured to receive a human face at an aperture in said housing; and b) a stand on which the light-excluding housing is mounted at one or more (preferably two rotatable pivot points, such that rotation about said pivot points results in movement of the aperture upwards and/or downwards.

Abstract: An aircraft with an integrated boundary layer ingesting propulsion having a mechanically-distributed propulsion system. The mechanically-distributed propulsion system may include an engine to generate a mechanical drive power, a drive shaft, a direction-reversing transmission, and a propulsor fan. The drive shaft may be operatively coupled to the engine to receive the mechanical drive power. The direction-reversing transmission may have a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft, the first rotating shaft operatively coupled to the drive shaft to receive the mechanical drive power, which is configured to redirect the mechanical drive power received at the first rotating shaft from a first direction to face a second direction at the second rotating shaft. The propulsor fan may be coupled to the second rotating shaft to convert the mechanical drive power into thrust.

Abstract: Provided according to embodiments of the invention are methods of forming a lipstatin derivative, (S)-1-((2S,3S)-3-ethyl-4-oxooxetan-2-yl) tridecan-2-yl formyl-L-alaninate. Such methods include one or more reaction steps that include the Mitsunobu coupling of N-formyl L-alanine in the presence of di-t-butyl azodicarboxylate (DBAD) and triphenylphosphine. Compounds formed by a method of the invention, compositions that include a compound formed by a method of the invention, and methods of inhibiting lipase activity and/or treating pancreatitis using a compound formed by a method of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The glass-based THz optical waveguides (10) disclosed herein are used to guide optical signals having a THz frequency in the range from 0.1 THz to (10) THz and include a core (20) surrounded by a cladding (30). The core has a diameter D1 in the range from (30) ?m to 10 mm and is made of fused silica glass having a refractive index n1. The cladding is made of either a polymer or a glass or glass soot and has a refractive index n2<n1 and an outer diameter D2 in the range from 100 ?m to 12 mm. The THz optical waveguides can be formed using processes that are extensions of either fiber, ceramic and soot-based technologies. In an example, the THz waveguides have a dielectric loss Df<0.005 at 100 GHz.

Abstract: The efficiency of roasting black dross can be improved by pre-processing the black dross before roasting. Black dross can be crushed and reconstituted into pellets having internal channels. The internal channels can be filled with additives designed to fully oxidize during a dross roasting process, enabling the internal channels to be open and gas to flow therethrough during a dross roasting process. The crushed black dross can be crushed to pieces below 10 mm and screened for larger pieces prior to pelletizing to ensure consistent pellets. Optionally, an eddy current separator can remove some metallic aluminum from the crushed black dross prior to pelletizing.

Abstract: Salt components of dross can be extracted efficiently through evaporation. During dross treatment, temperatures can be permitted to approach or exceed the boiling point of one or more salt components of the dross, preferably in an oxidizing environment. The temperature can be held sufficiently high such that the salt content can exert an appreciable vapor pressure and can be held for a sufficient time to permit most, all, or substantially all of the salt content to evaporate and be carried away from the kiln in combustion gasses. The evaporated salt can be condensed and collected.

Abstract: A two stage dross treatment capable of being performed in a single reaction vessel is disclosed. Dross, especially white dross, can be contacted with salt flux in a rotary furnace to recover metal from the dross. This first stage can recover metal during the conversion of white dross and salt flux to salt cake. In a second stage, the furnace can be raised to a sufficiently high temperature to evaporate the salt content of the salt cake, allowing the evaporated salt to exit the furnace and be separately condensed and collected. The result of the second stage is collected salt and salt-free oxides. After removing the salt-free oxides, residual heat in the furnace and collected salt can be used for a subsequent dross treatment.

Abstract: A technique for controlling access to one or more attractions is achieved using a number of access keys, each being issued to one or more users. An electronic queue management part manages a virtual queue in respect of each attraction and receives electronic requests for attraction access, each request relating to an access key and being for the users associated with it to access a particular attraction. Receipt of each request causes the respective users to be added to a corresponding virtual queue. A time at which each group of users reaches the front of the virtual queue and can access the attraction is determined. The users access the attractions by presenting an access key to an access control part, in communication with the electronic queue management part. Only a user presenting an access key at the correct time for accessing the attraction is allowed access to the attraction.

Abstract: Chemical compounds that are useful as inhibitors of mechanotransduction in the treatment of pain and modulation of touch perception and topical administration of the compounds described herein in the treatment of pain and modulation of touch perception.

Abstract: A system and method on a computer of more efficient, directional reversing reading format that may have directional guides is shown. The reader's eyes can smoothly and efficiently drop down to the next line, and then read content, as the eyes reverse naturally to the beginning direction. There also may be directional prompts to aid in the smooth flow of reading each line.

Abstract: An aircraft with an integrated boundary layer ingesting propulsion having a mechanically-distributed propulsion system. The mechanically-distributed propulsion system may include an engine to generate a mechanical drive power, a drive shaft, a direction-reversing transmission, and a propulsor fan. The drive shaft may be operatively coupled to the engine to receive the mechanical drive power. The direction-reversing transmission may have a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft, the first rotating shaft operatively coupled to the drive shaft to receive the mechanical drive power, which is configured to redirect the mechanical drive power received at the first rotating shaft from a first direction to face a second direction at the second rotating shaft. The propulsor fan may be coupled to the second rotating shaft to convert the mechanical drive power into thrust.

Abstract: An aircraft with an integrated boundary layer ingesting propulsion having a mechanically-distributed propulsion system. The mechanically-distributed propulsion system may include an engine to generate a mechanical drive power, a drive shaft, a direction-reversing transmission, and a propulsor fan. The drive shaft may be operatively coupled to the engine to receive the mechanical drive power. The direction-reversing transmission may have a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft, the first rotating shaft operatively coupled to the drive shaft to receive the mechanical drive power, which is configured to redirect the mechanical drive power received at the first rotating shaft from a first direction to face a second direction at the second rotating shaft. The propulsor fan may be coupled to the second rotating shaft to convert the mechanical drive power into thrust.

Abstract: There is provided a undercutting boring tool (10) comprising a bar body (11). A lost motion link consists of a spring (26) selectively compressed by a lost motion rod (27) having a lost motion slot (33) spaced from a drive pin (34). An operating rod portion (36) has a trunnion body (37) at its front end having a pin (41) adapted to engage the lost motion slot (33). A tool carrier (42) forms a pair of spaced flat tines (43) and forms a bearing surface (44) in the bight. The upper tine (43) and the bearing surface (44) section are slotted at (45) to allow the passage of a control link (46). Apertures (47) in the tines (43) engage pins (50) on the trunnion body (37). The bar of a generally H-shaped tool assembly (52) comprises a bearing surface (53) running in the bearing surface (44). A crank portion (54) is connected to the control link (46) via crank pin (55).

Abstract: A strut insulator for an overhead rail contact system includes a first end fitting, the first end fitting defining an inner side pocket, and a second end fitting spaced from the first end fitting, the second end fitting defining an inner side pocket. The strut insulator further includes a rod extending between the first end fitting and the second end fitting and extending into the inner side pockets of the first and second end fittings, the rod defining a length. The strut insulator further includes a shell surrounding a portion of rod, the shell extending along a portion of the length of the rod, the shell formed from a fluoropolymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a guitar pick with a slot or channel for attaching the pick to guitars, guitar straps, clothing buttons, beads, and other accommodations and also the slot being able to control the orientation and retention of the instrument pick. The slot allows for attachments to be made to the picks, for enhanced gripping, for tonal changes, for offsetting finger dulling effects, and for stacking/adjoining for a variety of effects.