Abstract: This invention pertains to compositions, methods and systems that can be used in chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) of a tungsten containing semiconductor device. CMP slurries comprising bicyclic amidine additives provide low dishing and low erosion topography.

Abstract: A carrying case utilizes a layer of phase change materials and a thermal insulation layer in order to provide a temperature-stabilized environment for enclosed payloads such as musical instruments during transport through an environment in which temperatures differ greatly from those to which they are normally exposed. In one aspect, the phase change materials and thermal insulation provide an extended period of temperature constancy, without the addition of either active thermal control or excessively bulky insulation.

Abstract: An imaging system may include transform circuitry to transform a captured input image into desired output images. In some applications, it may be desired to transition between a first output image and a second output image that have been respectively produced using first and second transforms. To perform this transition gradually, the transform circuitry may include a transform processor and an interpolation processor that produce discrete intermediate output images between the first output image and the second output image. The transform processor may generate a set of individual transforms between the first transform and the second transform or may interpolate between the first transform and the second transform to produce interpolated transforms. In either case, the transform circuitry may produce the intermediate output images using the produced transforms, and the output images may be output in a continuous stream to gradually transition between the first and second output images.

Abstract: A tower closing apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the closing of a multi-piece, hinged hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower closing apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, tower body alignment rollers, face plate manipulation rollers, face closing rollers, etc.) to close a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the closing apparatus, a series of face plate manipulation rollers gradually rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) from a fully open position to a partially closed position. Next a series of face closing rollers continue to rotate the face plate(s) from the partially closed position to the fully closed position, forcing the fasteners to latch the face plate(s) into position.

Abstract: A method for delivering antimicrobial compounds to a locus in a controlled manner by adding to the locus a compound having formula (I) wherein X is O or NH; R is an acrylic polymer, a saturated polyester, an alkyd resin, a polyether or a polycarbonate and R optionally has additional XC(O)NHCHR?R? substituents; R? is hydroxyl or NHC(O)XR; and R? is an organic substituent group having from one to twenty carbon atoms and which optionally has additional CHR?NHC(O)XR substituents.

Abstract: At least one application may include instructions comprising application instructions and a plurality of separate pipeline definition instructions. The application instructions may be within a virtual container including at least one program that is generically executable in a plurality of different continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) environments. Each of the plurality of separate pipeline definition instructions may be configured for each of the plurality of different CI/CD environments such that each pipeline definition may operate only in the CI/CD environment for which it is created. Each pipeline definition may be configured to cause the CI/CD environment for which it is created to execute the at least one program.

Abstract: A material with a nanotexture comprising structures extending from a substrate. The structures are modified by coating the nanotexture with a protective coating and partially removing the coating, exposing a portion of the structure for functionalization.

Abstract: Multi-position valve actuators principally for water-circulation systems of pools and spas are detailed. At least some actuators may indicate position of an associated valve in a non-electronic manner, as by using a handle visible externally of the actuator and directly or indirectly mechanically coupled to the valve so as to move therewith. Hence, even if power to an actuator is disrupted, positioning of the valve may be determined by viewing the handle.

Abstract: A control device for a ceiling fan may have a motor drive circuit configured to control a rotational speed of a motor of the ceiling fan, an occupancy sensing circuit, and a control circuit configured to adjust the rotational speed of the motor in response to a detected occupancy or vacancy condition. The control circuit may process the signals generated by the occupancy sensing circuit to eliminate the effects of vibrations and/or wobbling of the ceiling fan. The control circuit may control the motor drive circuit to adjust the rotational speed of the motor in response to an accelerometer to minimize the magnitude of the wobble of the ceiling fan. The control circuit may be configured to learn a preferred rotational speed for the motor. The control circuit may also be configured to control the rotational speed of the motor to affect a thermal comfort level of an occupant.

Abstract: An aspect of dynamic physical capacity allocation in an unbalanced content-addressable storage system includes initiating a scale up for a storage cluster. An aspect further includes determining a target number of hash-to-physical-location-on-disk (h2d) slices to be assigned to each data module (D module), and reassigning h2d slices assigned to D modules having greater than the target number of h2d slices to D modules having less h2d slices than the target number.

Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly comprising a plurality of control rod guide assemblies. At least one of the control rod guide assemblies includes a guide tube having an axial dimension, the guide tube being supported by the plurality of grids and extending axially between the top nozzle and the bottom nozzle, the guide tube having an upper portion having a first radius and a lower portion having a second radius less than the first radius, and an external dashpot tube disposed around a portion of the lower portion in an area beginning at the bottom grid and extending toward the top nozzle.

Abstract: A host server in a server cluster has a memory allocator that creates a dedicated host application data cache in storage class memory. A background routine destages host application data from the dedicated cache in accordance with a destaging plan. For example, a newly written extent may be destaged based on aging. All extents may be flushed from the dedicated cache following host server reboot. All extents associated with a particular production volume may be flushed from the dedicated cache in response to a sync message from a storage array.

Abstract: A communication system is provided. The communication system includes a at least one baseband controller configured to process signals in a baseband frequency band. The communication system also includes at least one radio unit that is physically remote from the at least one baseband controller. Each radio unit includes a plurality of virtual radio units (VRUs) in a physical housing of the respective radio unit. Each radio unit also includes a fronthaul interface configured to communicate with the at least one baseband controller using a packet-based protocol on behalf of each VRU. Each radio unit also includes at least one radio frequency front end unit configured to transmit from and receive on behalf of each of the VRUs.

Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, a method includes obtaining a first amount of magnesium, a second amount of manganese, and a third amount of a cathodic poison and combining the magnesium, the manganese, and the cathodic poison to thereby form a kinetically hindered magnesium alloy includes less than 1 part by weight of manganese and less than about 5 parts by weight of cathodic poison based on 100 parts of the kinetically hindered magnesium alloy. The cathodic poison is configured to inhibit a cathodic reaction when combined with the magnesium.

Abstract: A computing device and method are provided for transmitting a relevant subset of map data, called a neighborhood, to enable mutual spatial understanding by multiple display devices around a target virtual location to display a shared hologram in the same exact location in the physical environment at the same moment in time. The computing device may comprise a processor, a memory operatively coupled to the processor, and an anchor transfer program stored in the memory and executed by the processor.

Abstract: A privacy compliance measurement system, according to particular embodiments, is configured to determine compliance with one or more privacy compliance requirements by an organization or sub-group of the organization. In various embodiments, the system is configured to determine a privacy maturity rating for each of a plurality of sub-groups within an organization. In some embodiments, the privacy maturity rating is based at least in part on: (1) a frequency of risks or issues identified with Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) performed or completed by the one or sub-groups; (2) a relative training level of members of the sub-groups with regard to privacy related matters; (3) a breadth and amount of personal data collected by the sub-groups; and/or (4) etc. In various embodiments, the system is configured to automatically modify one or more privacy campaigns based on the determined privacy maturity ratings.

Abstract: A temporary tread insert and method for installation in a stairway framework during building construction. The temporary tread insert includes an insert body having an upper tread surface, a bottom surface and opposed side surfaces. A front end of the insert body has a substantially bullnose shaped curved surface. The upper tread surface has a notched surface extending along the upper tread surface. Also disclosed is the method of inserting the temporary tread insert into the stair pan of a stairway framework, where the stair pan includes a bullnose at a front end of the stair pan, and the bullnose has a portion extending laterally a distance into the stair pan. The temporary tread insert includes a notched surface.

Abstract: A travel tray and container system includes a base having a cylinder for receiving a beverage container and a tray having a tray shape extending in a horizontal plane to bisect the cylinder to define an upper cylinder and a lower cylinder eccentrically disposed within the horizontal plane. The lower cylinder is dimensioned to closely fit within a cup-holder. The tray has a vertical wall extending around its perimeter, where the upper cylinder and the vertical wall define a tray retention volume having an eccentric cut-out region corresponding to the cylinder. A removable insert has a shape that fits within the tray retention volume, the insert having upper edges configured for attachment of a container-sealing lid.

Abstract: A method is revealed that teaches that a UV or near-UV lighting source inside a lighting fixture can be used to fulfil two functions; (1) First, to disinfect room air of bioaerosols and remove certain air-borne chemicals; and then (2) To excite white or other color phosphor compounds, so that the final output of the lighting fixture is that of visible non-UV light. The method results in a minimal increase in operating energy costs over that of a standard LED light fixture, but with the added benefit of providing air disinfection and purification.

Abstract: A vehicle visual element includes a substrate defining a lamp cavity. A light source is positioned within the lamp cavity which is configured to emit light. A film defining at least one of a holographic and a diffraction grating is disposed over the lamp cavity.