Abstract: Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods are disclosed to analyze resource dependencies, the apparatus comprising: interface circuitry; machine readable instructions; and programmable circuitry to at least one of instantiate or execute the machine readable instructions to: generate a self-contained dependency descriptor property based on a dependency between a first cloud resource and a second cloud resource; receive a resource allocation request, the resource allocation request indicative of a first cloud resource account type, the resource allocation request not specific to a cloud provider; based on the self-contained dependency descriptor property, determine a second cloud resource account type to satisfy the resource allocation request; determine the cloud provider based on a property associated with a first resource type and a second resource type; and determine a cloud resource based on the cloud provider, the cloud resource to be allocated in response to the resource allocation request

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to implement post-provisioning tasks are disclosed. An example apparatus comprising memory, instructions, and programmable circuitry to be programmed by the instructions to obtain metadata associated with a post-provisioning task, the post-provisioning task to modify a plugin, the plugin to provide a capability to a cloud resource of a computing platform provider, the metadata represented in accordance with a first file format, transform the metadata from the first file format to a second file format, the second file format compatible with the plugin, and register the post-provisioning task in a deployment environment provided by the computing platform provider.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manage cloud computing resources are disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly is provided for mitigating the detrimental effect of water or steam on HTPEM membranes. The membrane electrode assembly includes an ion conductive electrolyte membrane, an ion conductive interface layer, a cathode electrode and an anode electrode. The electrolyte membrane is laminated with the ion conductive interface layer on both the cathode side and the anode side or on only one side. The ion conductive interface layer includes a material having sufficiently high ion conductivity and a chemically stable structure to withstand the effect of the elevated temperatures and water. These ion conductive interface layers act as an effective barrier to electrolyte on the membrane side and to the water on the electrode side, while only marginally effecting the overall ion of the electrode conductivity because of the thinness of the layer.

Abstract: A reversible high temperature proton exchange membrane (HTPEM) fuel cell energy production and storage system includes an electrolysis mode and a fuel cell mode. The system operates at elevated temperatures (e.g., 130° C. to 270° C.) and, in an electrolysis mode, converts water vapor to hydrogen. The electrolysis occurs more energy efficiently at higher temperatures as reaction potentials decline and ionic conductivity increases. In addition, when water is in a gaseous state, oxygen removal from the anode is facilitated which improves the reaction kinetics. Coolant is circulated between the stack and a heat exchanger to use excess heat from the stack generated in electrolysis mode to heat water for further electrolysis. Components and subsystems may be powered by electricity generated during fuel cell mode. A series of heat exchangers, pumps, storage tanks, and compressors allow the system to capture efficiencies in both modes of operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for training a customized model. A method of constructing a customized generative model, comprising reading a plurality of synthetic images and associated latent representations; presenting each of the plurality of synthetic images to one or more users via a client computing platform; reading a plurality of inputs characterizing a plurality of values for a plurality of associated attributes of each of the plurality of synthetic images; based on the values of the associated attributes and the latent representations, training a regression model to predict the values of the attributes from the latent representations.

Abstract: A dilator tool for use with a robotic surgical system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the dilator comprises a set of elongate members with an atraumatic form. The elongate members are individually controlled to manipulate tissue and push tissue away from a working channel. The operation to create a working channel may reduce the risk of tissue injury over traditional methods using a scalpel.

Abstract: A steam turbine having an inflow ring channel which is connected to an inflow connecting piece in terms of flow technology. The inflow connecting piece is designed in such a way that an incoming flow is first slowed down, subsequently accelerated and simultaneously deflected.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a substrate handling robot includes a robot body, a robot arm mounted to the robot body, and an end effector mounted to the robot arm. The end effector includes first and second fingers each having one or more pins protruding therefrom, and a first motor for axially rotating the first finger. At least one pin of the first finger and one pin of the second finger are configured to mate with corresponding holes in the substrate. Rotation of the first finger imparts a tensional force to the substrate, suitable for reducing sag in ultra-thin substrates on the order of 20 to 800 microns. In certain embodiments, both fingers are rotatable, synchronously or independently. In certain embodiments, rotation is replaced by translational or pivoting planar motions, also imparting tensional force to the substrate.

Abstract: An orthopedic distraction device is provides. The orthopedic distraction device includes a first upper paddle for engaging a first bone of a joint, a lower paddle for engaging a second bone of the joint and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism includes a drive assembly operable to move the upper paddle relative to the lower paddle. The lower paddle is releasably connected to the displacement mechanism.

Abstract: An orthopedic distraction device is provides. The orthopedic distraction device includes a first upper paddle for engaging a first bone of a joint, a lower paddle for engaging a second bone of the joint and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism includes a drive assembly operable to move the upper paddle relative to the lower paddle. The lower paddle is releasably connected to the displacement mechanism.

Abstract: A steam turbine having an inflow ring channel which is connected to an inflow connecting piece in terms of flow technology. The inflow connecting piece is designed in such a way that an incoming flow is first slowed down, subsequently accelerated and simultaneously deflected.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a substrate handling robot includes a robot body, a robot arm mounted to the robot body, and an end effector mounted to the robot arm. The end effector includes first and second fingers each having one or more pins protruding therefrom, and a first motor for axially rotating the first finger. At least one pin of the first finger and one pin of the second finger are configured to mate with corresponding holes in the substrate. Rotation of the first finger imparts a tensional force to the substrate, suitable for reducing sag in ultra-thin substrates on the order of 20 to 800 microns. In certain embodiments, both fingers are rotatable, synchronously or independently. In certain embodiments, rotation is replaced by translational or pivoting planar motions, also imparting tensional force to the substrate.

Abstract: An orthopedic distraction device is provides. The orthopedic distraction device includes a first upper paddle for engaging a first bone of a joint, a lower paddle for engaging a second bone of the joint and a displacement mechanism. The displacement mechanism includes a drive assembly operable to move the upper paddle relative to the lower paddle. The lower paddle is releasably connected to the displacement mechanism.

Abstract: A password security system, hosted by a server, whose method of operation may include receiving a client hash value from a client where the client hash value is computed by hashing a password to generate a first hash value, and hashing the first hash value combined with a user input of an answer to a challenge to generate the client hash value. A server hash value is computed using password data for the user that is stored in a data store coupled to the server and a server-side answer that is stored in the data store. A determination is made whether the server hash value matches the client hash value and data access is granted to the user in view of a determination that the server hash value matches the client hash value, and data access is denied to the user in view of a determination that the server hash value does not match the client hash value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flipping module operable to flip a workpiece delivered by a robot in a vacuum transfer chamber (VTC) includes a gripper disposed outside a working envelope of the robot in a parked position in a vacuum environment of the VTC, and an actuator operable to move the gripper from the parked position to a receiving position, and to rotate the gripper and workpiece to thereby flip the workpiece.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flipping module operable to flip a workpiece delivered by a robot in a vacuum transfer chamber (VTC) includes a gripper disposed outside a working envelope of the robot in a parked position in a vacuum environment of the VTC, and an actuator operable to move the gripper from the parked position to a receiving position, and to rotate the gripper and workpiece to thereby flip the workpiece.

Abstract: A robot has a robot arm, a support structure, and a movable platform. The platform includes a cantilevered member coupled to a guide of the support structure such that motion of the platform is directed along a first direction. The robot further includes first and second timing belts having portions that extend along the first direction and that are disposed on opposite sides of the cantilevered member, and first and second shafts movable with the movable platform. The shafts are coupled to the respective timing belts, to the robot arm such that rotation of the first shaft imparts angular motion to the robot arm and rotation of the second shaft imparts radial motion. The robot also includes a third timing belt to which the platform is coupled and by which it is moved. Motors are provided that impart movement to the timing belts.

Abstract: A password security system, hosted by a server, whose method of operation may include receiving a client hash value from a client where the client hash value is computed by hashing a password to generate a first hash value, and hashing the first hash value combined with a user input of an answer to a challenge to generate the client hash value. A server hash value is computed using password data for the user that is stored in a data store coupled to the server and a server-side answer that is stored in the data store. A determination is made whether the server hash value matches the client hash value and data access is granted to the user in view of a determination that the server hash value matches the client hash value, and data access is denied to the user in view of a determination that the server hash value does not match the client hash value.

Abstract: A substrate handling robot having a robot body and a robot arm with an end effector is configured to exhibit angular (?), radial (R) and Z motion. A pair of coaxial shafts link the robot arm to respective motors dedicated to angular (?) and radial (R) motions. The motors are stationarily mounted with respect to the robot body. The shafts are rotatably supported by a floating platform which is motivated in the Z direction by a third motor also stationarily mounted with respect to the robot body. The third motor is coupled to the platform by a Z motion linkage. The first and second motors are coupled to the coaxial shafts by angular and radial motion linkages each of which includes primary and secondary timing belts whose relative motions are synchronized with the Z motion linkage to achieve controllable independent angular (?), radial (R) and Z motions in a simple, light-weight package.