Abstract: Methods for holding a workpiece with a hydrostatic pad are disclosed herein. The pad includes hydrostatic pockets formed in a face of the body directly opposed to the wafer. The pockets are adapted for receiving fluid through the body and into the pockets to provide a barrier between the body face and the workpiece while still applying pressure to hold the workpiece during grinding. The hydrostatic pads allow the wafer to rotate relative to the pads about their common axis. The pockets are oriented to reduce hydrostatic bending moments that are produced in the wafer when the grinding wheels shift or tilt relative to the hydrostatic pads, helping prevent nanotopology degradation of surfaces of the wafer commonly caused by shift and tilt of the grinding wheels.

Abstract: A power converter system includes an inverter including a first bridge and a second bridge, wherein each of the first bridge and the second bridge includes at least one switch. The power converter system also includes an inductor including a first winding coupled to an output of the first bridge and a second winding coupled to an output of the second bridge.

Abstract: A method for operating an RFID tag read verification system is described where the system includes at least one RFID reader and antenna assembly and a computing device. The method includes importing a control file, including data relating to a plurality of RFID tagged items that collectively form an RFID tagged environment, into the computing device, scanning the RFID tagged environment utilizing the one or more RFID reader and antenna assemblies, transferring scan data of the RFID tag environment from the one or more RFID reader and antenna assemblies to the computing device, and utilizing the computing device to compare the scan data to the control file to identify any anomalies within the RFID tagged environment.

Abstract: A system is described that includes a data warehouse and a platform independent data warehouse load application operable to run on the system. The load application includes a sequencing unit configured to utilize timestamp data from incoming data to be stored in the data warehouse and a relational algebra of set operators to identify and sequence net changes between the incoming data and data previously stored within the data warehouse. The load application is configured to non-intrusively load the identified and sequenced net changes into the data warehouse.

Abstract: A system generates rules for classifying documents are generated by building a vocabulary of features (e.g., words, phrases, acronyms, etc.) that are related to classifying concepts. The system includes a security document reader receives a security document that defines security concepts for a particular project and parses the security document to separate the security concepts. A vocabulary builder receives samples provided by the user that contain information related to the project. For each security concept, the vocabulary builder uses statistical analysis techniques to find features in the samples that are related to that concept. A rule generation assistant, for each security concept, generates rules based on the built vocabulary and the samples. The rule generation assistant uses statistical analysis techniques on the vocabulary and samples to determine features that optimally predict a particular concept. The rules can be used by a downgrader to process information to be distributed.

Abstract: A method and system for an integrated ejector valve assembly is provided. The integrated ejector valve assembly includes a first valve assembly configured to control a flow of relatively lower pressure fluid from a first inlet port, a second valve assembly configured to control a flow of relatively higher pressure fluid from a second inlet port, a first actuation chamber configured to close the first valve assembly, a second actuation chamber configured to close the second valve assembly, and a third actuation chamber configured to open the second valve assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a financial transaction using a payment card through a third-party interchange network is provided. The financial transaction is initiated by a cardholder at a merchant location.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical pig is used to transport a syringe containing a liquid radiopharmaceutical from a radiopharmacy to a medical facility for administration to a patient. The pharmaceutical pig includes an elongate polymer cap that is removably attached to an elongate polymer base. The elongate polymer cap includes a cap shell that completely encloses a cap shielding element and the elongate polymer base includes a base shell that completely encloses a base shielding element. Preferably the polymer utilized for the cap shell and the base shell is polycarbonate resin, e.g., LEXAN®. An inner liner is not utilized and the cap shielding element and the base shielding element, which are preferably, but not necessarily, made of lead, are completely sealed and unexposed.

Abstract: Modular fuse holders include dual studs with stepped configuration allowing the fuse holders to be universally used with and without bus bars while ensuring proper connection of a fuse.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a transducer and a control module coupled with the transducer. The control module is configured to selectively switch the sensor assembly between a first mode of operation wherein the sensor assembly measures an amount of energy induced to the sensor assembly, and a second mode of operation wherein the sensor assembly stores an amount of energy induced to the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A method for conducting a collaborative web-based whiteboard session, including receiving one or more whiteboard annotations in first units in a first client application component, converting the one or more whiteboard annotations from the first units into second units by utilizing a software component associated with the first client application component, sending the one or more whiteboard annotations, in the second units, to a second client application component, converting the one or more whiteboard annotations received from the first client application component from the second units into coordinates specific to the second client application component, and presenting the one or more whiteboard annotations using the coordinates specific to the second client application component to a user through the second client application component.

Abstract: A method and systems for an engine igniter excitation system includes an energy storage device, a first adaptive comparator configured to control the storage of an amount of energy in the energy storage device wherein the amount of energy is determined using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes a second adaptive comparator communicatively coupled to the energy storage device wherein the second adaptive comparator is configured to control a rate of energy delivery to the energy storage device using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes an igniter configured to generate a spark based on the amount of stored energy and the rate of energy delivery.

Abstract: An active flow control system for manipulating a boundary layer of air across a wind turbine rotor blade. The wind turbine rotor blade has at least one sidewall defining a cavity therein. The sidewall extends between a leading edge and an axially spaced trailing edge. The active flow control system includes an air discharge assembly that is coupled to the sidewall. The air discharge assembly is configured to selectively discharge air from within the wind turbine rotor blade into the boundary layer. An air suction assembly is coupled to the sidewall and to the air discharge assembly. The air suction assembly is configured to channel air from the boundary layer to the air discharge assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for propelling a multiple-wheeled golf bag cart over a terrain are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to be attached to a handle of the golf bag cart and further configured to be attached to the waist of a golfer. The apparatus includes a belt member for attachment to the waist of the golfer, a deformable member configured to be disposed between the cart handle and the belt member for controlling movement of the cart while the cart is being towed, and a mounting member for attachment to the handle for connecting the deformable member to the handle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a position indicating display system for an aircraft are provided. The system includes a moving map display representative of an area being traversed by the aircraft such that a current relative position of the aircraft is maintained proximate a center of the display, a first overlay on the moving map display that is indicative of a predetermined track of travel, and a second overlay on the moving map display indicative of a distance range from a suitable alternate airport. The second overlay also displays equal time points to assist flight crews in determining closest suitable alternate airport in the event of a required diversion. Constraints regarding the intended flight route on the organized track system are available for display to the flight crew.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a scan execution unit configured to execute a regular scan in which a navigator sequence for generating a magnetic resonance signal in a navigator area containing a region of interest moving with a biological movement of a subject and an imaging sequence for generating a magnetic resonance signal in an imaging area of the subject are carried out, and a signal processing unit configured to detect a position of a region of interest based on a magnetic resonance signal generated by a navigator sequence in the regular scan and to generate an image based on the detected position and the magnetic resonance signal generated by the imaging sequence.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis and treatment system includes an ultrasonic probe for transmitting and for receiving ultrasonic waves; an image generator unit for generating an ultrasonic image based on the echo signals received by the ultrasonic probe; a display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image generated by the image generator unit; and a biopsy needle for radiating radiofrequency waves. The ultrasonic diagnosis and treatment system includes a display controller unit for displaying on the display unit an ultrasonic image at the time of non-radiation of the radiofrequency waves generated based on the echo signals received by the ultrasonic probe at the time when the radiofrequency waves are not radiated from the biopsy needle, in place of the ultrasonic image at the time of radiation of the radiofrequency waves generated based on the echo signals received by the biopsy needle at the time of radiating the radiofrequency wave from the biopsy needle.

Abstract: A method for communicating financial transaction data between a plurality of computer devices using an interface module and an enhanced protocol is provided. The transaction is initiated by a cardholder at an input terminal using a transaction card for completing a purchase from a merchant. The method includes receiving at the interface module initial identification (ID) data from a merchant computer wherein the interface module is a computer module separate from the merchant computer, generating a first verification enrollment request (VEReq) message based on the initial ID data that includes at least one of a merchant identifier and an account number, transmitting the first VEReq message, receiving a verification enrollment response (VERes) message affirmatively verifying enrollment of the merchant in an express check out program, and generating at the interface module a payer authentication request (PAReq) message using the enhanced protocol that defines a first set of data field extensions.

Abstract: A weir is extended vertically to define an optimal annular gap between the top of the weir and the underside of a super-adjacent heat shield. The annular gap provides a high velocity stream of argon gas to be directed from the growth region to the melt region to substantially eliminate the transport of airborne particles from the melt region to the growth region. The tall weir may be configured as a modular, reusable weir extension supportably engaged with an outer (and/or inner) weir.

Abstract: A method for assigning an interchange rate to a financial transaction is provided. The method uses at least one input device in communication with an interchange database. The financial transaction is initiated by a cardholder using a card over a card interchange, the card having been issued by an issuer bank. The method includes the steps of storing issuer data within the interchange database, the issuer data including whether the issuer bank has entered into a special relationship with the interchange.