Abstract: A launchpad is sized and shaped to accommodate an autonomous vehicle (AV) that includes at least one vehicle sensor. The launchpad includes one or more launchpad sensors located on or around the launchpad. A control subsystem receives launchpad sensor data from the launchpad sensor(s) and AV sensor data from the vehicle sensor(s). In response to the request for departure of the AV, the control subsystem determines, based at least in part upon the launchpad sensor data, whether the launchpad is free of obstructions that would prevent departure from the launchpad and determines, based at least in part upon the AV sensor data, whether the region in front of the AV is clear of obstructions that would prevent movement away from the launchpad. If both the launchpad and the region in front of the AV are free of obstructions, the AV is permitted to begin driving autonomously.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle (AV) includes at least one vehicle sensor that is configured, when the AV is stopped, to observe at least a first portion of a zone around the stopped AV. A portable device is operated by a user near the stopped AV. A control subsystem receives a communication from the portable device that includes information regarding whether a second portion of the zone around the AV is free of obstructions. The control subsystem receives AV sensor data from the at least one vehicle sensor. The control subsystem determines whether the first portion of the zone free of obstructions and whether the second portion of the zone is free of obstructions. If that both the first and second portions of the zone around the stopped AV are free of obstructions, the stopped AV is allowed to begin moving.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of landing pads is sized and shaped to accommodate an AV. Landing pad sensor(s) are located in or around each landing pad. A control subsystem receives landing pad sensor data from the one or more landing pad sensors and receives, from a first AV traveling to a location of the plurality of landing pads, a request for an assigned landing pad in which the first AV should park. In response to this request, the control subsystem determines, based on the received landing pad sensor data, whether a first landing pad is free of obstructions that would prevent receipt of the first AV. If the first landing pad is free of obstructions, an indication is provided to the AV that the first landing pad is the assigned landing pad.

Abstract: A method and device for digital measuring and ordering a custom orthopedic device includes an interactive method intended to assist clinicians select, measure and submit precise specifications for patients requiring custom orthopedic devices. The method includes a plurality of menus permitting the clinician to input specifications and submit orders electronically with the specifications and other data packaged together. The method and device include visualization indications to appropriately ensure image capture of a limb from various angles, including posterior, anterior, lateral and medial angles.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the treatment of disease with monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention concerns a flap arrangement 10 for a turbine 2 of an exhaust-gas turbocharger 2, in particular for a wastegate valve of the turbine, having a spindle 100 for rotatable mounting of the flap arrangement 10 in a turbine housing 3, a lever arm 200, the lever arm 200 being coupled to the spindle 100, and a flap plate 300, the flap plate 300 being coupled to the lever arm 200. The flap plate 300 has a flexible part 330 in a radially outer region of the flap plate 300, such that by applying a closing force to the flap arrangement 10 when the flap plate 300 is in contact with a flap seat 500 in the turbine housing 3, elastic and/or plastic deformation of the flexible part 330 of the flap plate 300 can be caused to compensate for thermal deformation of the turbine housing 3, exhaust deposits and/or wear.

Abstract: A natural-language voice chatbot is initiated and a voice session is established between the chatbot and a customer while the customer is operating a vehicle device within a vehicle. A pre-staged order is taken from a customer during the session and the session is suspended until the customer arrives at a store associated with the pre-staged order. A location-based trigger is raised when the customer is detected as being present at a transaction terminal of a store; the session is resumed on the transaction terminal and/or the vehicle device. The pre-stage order is confirmed during the resumed session and payment is obtained from the customer for the order when payment was not already obtained from the customer. The order is sent to a fulfillment station and, in an embodiment, the items associated with the order are delivered to the customer while the customer remains at the terminal.

Abstract: An array of membranes comprising amphipathic molecules is formed using an apparatus comprising a support defining an array of compartments. Volumes comprising polar medium are provided within respective compartments and a layer comprising apolar medium is provided extending across the openings with the volumes. Polar medium is flowed across the support to displace apolar medium and form a layer in contact with the volumes, forming membranes comprising amphipathic molecules at the interfaces. In one construction of the apparatus, the support that comprises partitions which comprise inner portions and outer portions. The inner portions define inner recesses without gaps therebetween that are capable of constraining the volumes comprising polar medium contained in neighbouring inner recesses from contacting each other. The outer portions extend outwardly from the inner portions and have gaps allowing the flow of an apolar medium across the substrate.

Abstract: A staging system has to be calibrated to determine a location of a horizontal pivot axis of a target frame. A stage calibration light beam is generated and reflected from a target frame mirror. The target frame is pivoted between first and second positions and the locations of the stage calibration light beam are detected. The locations of the stage calibration light beam provide a value representing an orientation of the target frame mirror relative to the horizontal pivot axis. The orientation of the target frame mirror is then adjusted based on the value so that the target frame mirror is more normal to the horizontal pivot axis.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for aggregating and presenting content relevant to a particular video game. In some embodiments, the method comprises: identifying videos related to a video game; selecting videos relevant to each of a plurality of categories; selecting videos based on popularity; receiving a request to present a user interface related to the video game; determining user subscription information for a user associated with the request; selecting videos based on user subscription information; causing the user interface to be presented including representations of: videos relevant to a first category in a first portion, videos selected based on popularity in a second portion, and videos selected based on the user subscription information in a third portion; receiving a request to present a video selected via the user interface; and causing the user device to present the requested video.

Abstract: A method for additive manufacturing a part using fused deposition modeling 3D printing technology includes projecting a laser image from one or more laser emitters onto a previously printed bead or beads of thermoplastic material forming a portion of the part, along a tool path for a next bead in a subsequent part layer. The laser image has a width of between about 50% to 75% of a commanded beadwidth of the next bead, and is moved along a tool path that is generally transverse to the width thereof, to thereby selectively irradiate and heat the previously printed thermoplastic material to at least a bonding temperature thereof but below a degradation temperature. A bead of thermoplastic material is extruded from an extrusion head and deposited along the tool path while at least a top surface portion of the irradiated material remains at or above its bonding temperature, so that strong adhesion occurs between part layers.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed, including a first article, a second article, at least one interface structure, and a thermal break directly adjacent to the at least one interface structure. The first article includes a first material composition having a first thermal tolerance. The second article includes a second material composition having a second thermal tolerance greater than the first thermal tolerance. The first article and the second article are in contact with one another through the interface structure. The thermal break interrupts a thermal conduction path from the second article to the first article.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a processor that facilitates a performance of operations. The operations may include obtaining an identification of an action to monitor during a gameplay associated with a game, storing a representation of a sliding window of the gameplay in a first storage medium, monitoring, by the system, for the identification of the action during the gameplay, detecting the identification of the action during the gameplay responsive to the monitoring, and responsive to the detecting, storing the representation of the sliding window of the gameplay in a second storage medium that is different from the first storage medium. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for presenting a reminder to view content are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, a method for presenting a reminder to view content is provided, the method comprising: determining that a message that includes a link to a first content item has been received by a user device; determining whether the link to the content item has been selected; in response to determining that the link to the content item has not been selected, storing metadata associated with the content item; determining that a user is viewing a second content item that is related to the first content item; determining a probability value that indicates a likelihood that the user would be interested in viewing the first content item; and causing an interface that includes a reminder to view the first content item to be presented on the user device.

Abstract: A method and system for sorting pistons with flaws is disclosed. In an embodiment, a piston with flaws is three dimensionally scanned and compared to a reference image to detect the location and geometry of the flaws. The location and geometry of the flaws are recorded and used to generate a surface condition score. The pistons are sorted based on the surface condition score being higher or lower than a set threshold value.

Abstract: A high performance die castable aluminum alloy is described, wherein the aluminum alloy is characterized as having a high yield strength and high conductivity, and also a high flowability and low susceptibility to hot tearing when die cast.

Abstract: A retainer resists decoupling of a first connector of a first cord from a second connector of a second cord. The retainer includes a first receiver having an adjuster to adjust the receiver about a portion of the first cord. The retainer includes a second receiver having an adjuster to adjust the receiver about a portion of the second cord. A connector housing couples the first and second receiver. The first receiver, second receiver, and connector housing form a continuous chamber in which lies portion of the first and second cords connected together when the retainer resides in an installed orientation. The retainer, in the installed orientation, resists incursion of water, dust particulate matter and other debris into the continuous chamber.

Abstract: An electronic device determines that an application has been launched for which screencasting is available. In response, the device displays a screencast control panel. A user inputs an instruction to begin screencasting via the control panel. In response to this instruction, the electronic device screencasts media content including content created by the application.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a cathode for electrolytic processes, the cathode comprising a conducting bar and a plate attached to the conducting bar, wherein the conducting bar has a conducting member attached thereto to increase the conductivity of the conducting bar.

Abstract: A cervical collar has a height adjustment system between upper and lower parts forming an anterior component for increasing height of the anterior component inclusive of a tracheal opening. The anterior component is arranged to permit the use of known mandibular and occipital supports in the cervical collar to maintain their functionality, comfort and fit, including their anatomical contours and connection to the height adjusted anterior component.