Abstract: An asphalt modifier includes bitumen, polyolefin particles, and one or more alkyl terephthalamides. Preparing an asphalt modifier includes combining one or more alkyl terephthalamides, polyolefin particles, and bitumen, and dispersing the polyolefin particles in the bitumen to yield the asphalt modifier. Digesting polyethylene terephthalate includes combining polyethylene terephthalate with an alkylamine or carboxyalkylamine to yield a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature between about 20° C. and about 300° C. to yield an alkyl terephthalamide.

Abstract: An elongate web of wrapping material having a longitudinal axis and a series of lines of weakening spaced from each other in a direction along the axis is disclosed. Each line of weakening is configured to form an extraction opening for the removal of smoking articles from a bundle of smoking articles wrapped in a longitudinal section of the wrapping material cut from the web. A portion of each line of weakening extends in a longitudinal direction, and at least a part of said portion extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis. A method of manufacturing an elongate web of wrapping material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sterilization, disinfection, sanitization, or decontamination system having a chamber defining a region, and a generator for creating a free radical effluent with reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and other species and/or a vaporizer. A closed loop circulating system without a free-radical destroyer is provided for supplying the mixture of free radicals from the generator mixed with the hydrogen peroxide solution in the form of the effluent to the chamber. The system is used in sterilizing, disinfecting, sanitizing, or decontaminating items in the chamber or room and, with a wound chamber, in treating wounds on a body. The wound chamber may be designed to maintain separation from wounds being treated. Various embodiments can control moisture to reduce or avoid unwanted condensation. Some embodiments can be incorporated into an appliance having a closed space, such as a washing machine. Some embodiments may include a residual coating device that deposits a bactericidal coating on sterilized items.

Abstract: Synchronous content sharing of media assets via an object data model propagated through a star network or a mesh network. Each user device updates a local object data model including information on the status of the media asset delivery, to achieve synchronization with the source data. Updates to the local object data model may be the result of direct connection between a user device and an application server via a network, or the result of indirect connections through peers in mesh networks, where the local object data model is shared through hops between peers in the mesh network if the direct connection is unavailable.

Abstract: A machine learning model is trained from characteristics of code changes and characteristics of tests to generate an output indicative of a likely test result of running a corresponding test on a code change. One or more machine learning models may be trained for a specific code repository and based on developer feedback. When a code change is generated by a developer to code in a code repository, a machine learning model is selected based on the repository and characteristics or features of the code change are extracted and input to the machine learning model. The machine learning model generates a model output indicative of the likely test results of running each of a plurality of different tests on the code change. The model output indicates how likely it is that each of the plurality of different tests will fail. Based on the model output, a test selection system selects a subset of the plurality of different tests that should be run against the code changes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a boat hull comprising: forming a foam mold of a predetermined shape and size from one or more pieces of foam; cutting, into the foam, at least one C-channel running in a longitudinal or a lateral direction within the foam; and coating the foam with at least one layer of reinforcing fiber and resin.

Abstract: One example method includes receiving a request to join a virtual space, the request received from a user device associated with a first user; responsive to determining that the first user is a member of the virtual space, providing access to the virtual space; changing a status of the first user based on the first user accessing the virtual space; providing state information associated with a then-current state of the virtual space; and providing an indication of a conference attached to the virtual space to the first user, the conference being between two or more members of the virtual space.

Abstract: Techniques for managing outputs from persistent hybrid collaborative workspaces are disclosed. In an example, a method receives, from a client device, a request to view a history of the virtual collaborative workspace. The method obtains, from a data store, past occurrences associated with one or more virtual collaborative workspace resources within the virtual space. The virtual collaborative workspace resources can include a virtual collaborative workspace, a list of users associated with the virtual collaborative workspace, a shared document, a video stream, or textual messages. The method further transmits indications of the one or more virtual collaborative workspace resources to the client device.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for producing or editing a mechanistic model of biological systems and/or for validating (e.g., assessing the comprehensiveness of) the mechanistic model. An illustrative method produces and/or edits a mechanistic model using information derived (e.g., generated and/or identified) from a corpus comprising public and/or proprietary scientific literature using a natural language processing (NLP) machine-learning model. Producing a mechanistic model may be or include generating, modifying, extending, and/or annotating the mechanistic model. In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving, by one or more processors of one or more computing devices, a prompt. In some embodiments, the method may further include determining, by the one or more processors, information responsive to the prompt. A mechanistic model may be produced using the information, for example, by a human user.

Abstract: An asphalt modifier includes bitumen, polyolefin particles, and one or more alkyl terephthalamides. Preparing an asphalt modifier includes combining one or more alkyl terephthalamides, polyolefin particles, and bitumen, and dispersing the polyolefin particles in the bitumen to yield the asphalt modifier. Digesting polyethylene terephthalate includes combining polyethylene terephthalate with an alkylamine or carboxyalkylamine to yield a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature between about 20° C. and about 300° C. to yield an alkyl terephthalamide.

Abstract: A messaging system is provided to communicate messages between computing devices. The computing devices can include vehicles and service computers. The messaging system includes nodes and virtual entities that may forward messages between computing devices. The messaging system may be a publish-subscribe system. The messaging system may allocate a allocating virtual entities that are associated with the computing devices. The virtual entity may be endpoints for the messages.

Abstract: A dental attachment assembly and method anchors a dental appliance with an implant and has an abutment member attached to the implant, a retention member in releasable snap engagement with the abutment member, and a cap secured in a recess of the dental appliance and in releasable swivel engagement with the retention member to position and secure the dental appliance onto the implant. The cap includes a cavity with a rounded, concave inner surface which engages with the retention member, an interior top surface of the cavity with a concave recess extending radially along an outer periphery of the interior top surface of the cavity to allow for rotation of the retention member within the cap. A central portion of the interior top surface of the cavity surrounded by the concave recess therefore protrudes vertically into the cavity to minimize vertical displacement of the retention member as it rotates.

Abstract: A messaging system is provided to communicate messages between computing devices. The computing devices can include vehicles and service computers. The messaging system includes nodes and virtual entities that may forward messages between computing devices. The messaging system may be a publish-subscribe system. The messaging system may provide one-to-one communication.

Abstract: A messaging system is provided to communicate messages between computing devices. The computing devices can include vehicles and service computers. The messaging system includes nodes and virtual entities that may forward messages between computing devices. The messaging system may be a publish-subscribe system. The messaging system may provide one-to-many communication.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing benign and malignant skin conditions includes extracting a numerical value corresponding to an order parameter from an image of skin having a pigmented region. The numerical value of the order parameter may be utilized to assess the likelihood that a skin lesion is benign or malignant. The precise value may also be utilized to assess severity, which may include detecting changes in a skin lesion over time.

Abstract: Aerospace systems, and systems and methods for assembling an aerospace system or another system or structure, are disclosed. A representative system can include a propellant tank with a dome-shaped head; attachment features on the dome-shaped head; and a thrust structure with legs attached to the attachment features. A representative method can include forming shims to be positioned between the legs and the attachment features. The shims can be formed based on digital characterizations of mounting faces on the attachment features within a reference coordinate system. The method can include positioning a drill jig within the reference coordinate system and using the drill jig to make holes in the shims and/or the attachment features for fastening the legs to the attachment features. A drill jig can include plates that are movable relative to each other. At least one of the plates can include a mounting hole pattern.

Abstract: Drill jigs for positioning mounting holes using metrology processes, and associated systems and methods, disclosed. A representative drill jig system for positioning holes to be made in an object can include a drill jig having a plurality of movable plates. The plates can include: a rotatable plate carrying a hole pattern for positioning the holes to be made; a first translatable plate that is translatable along a first axis; a second translatable plate that is translatable along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis; and a base plate carrying one or more attachment elements positioned and configured to grasp the object. In some embodiments, the plates are manually movable via one or more adjusters. In some embodiments, the drill jig includes one or more servos for moving one or more of the plates under computer control, such as in a feedback loop using one or more encoders.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include systems, methods, and compositions for detection of imminent onset of a symptom of a gut inflammation medical condition. The disclosure also concerns microbial biosensors that detect a marker in the gut that is predictive of onset of at least one symptom of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), for example, and such a sensor may include a promoter sensitive to the marker that is linked to expression of a detectable readout, such as in the feces of the individual with IBD.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a belt, a support deck and a rinsing system. The belt is mounted through a service line, and has an upper transport portion to support a wheeled structure, and a lower return portion. The support deck is positioned to support the upper transport portion and includes a lower support deck structure, and wear plates that are supported on the lower support deck structure and which are engageable with the upper transport portion of the belt. The support deck includes alignment aperture pairs, each including a first aperture through the lower structure, and a second aperture through a wear plate. The rinsing system includes outlet bodies, each extending into one of each of the first and second alignment apertures a wear plate, to inhibit movement of the wear plate. Each outlet body has an outlet facing the upper transport portion so as to eject liquid thereonto.

Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A second sidewall opposes the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall at least partially define a cargo space. A first seating assembly is coupled to the first sidewall. A second seating assembly is coupled to the first sidewall. A bench seat is configured to be selectively adjustable between an adjacent support position and a cross support position. The bench seat is coupled to the first seating assembly and the second seating assembly when in the adjacent support position. The bench seat is coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall in the cross support position.