Abstract: An antithrombotic surface-modified biomaterial is provided comprising a biomaterial substrate coated with a polymerizable dopamine-containing bioadhesive to which is attached one or more antithrombotic agents. A method of preparing the surface-modified biomaterial is also provided. The surface-modified biomaterial is beneficial for use in blood-contacting medical devices such as catheters, dialyzers and blood oxygenators to prevent or minimize the occurrence of thrombosis on the surface thereof.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing a discard engine in a graphics pipeline are disclosed. A system includes a graphics pipeline with a geometry engine launching shaders that generate attribute data for vertices of each primitive of a set of primitives. The attribute data is consumed by pixel shaders, with each pixel shader generating a deallocation message when the pixel shader no longer needs the attribute data. A discard engine gathers deallocations from multiple pixel shaders and determines when the attribute data is no longer needed. Once a block of attributes has been consumed by all potential pixel shader consumers, the discard engine deallocates the given block of attributes. The discard engine sends a discard command to the caches so that the attribute data can be invalidated and not written back to memory.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for performing color channel correlation detection are disclosed. A compression engine performs a color channel transform on an original set of pixel data to generate a channel transformed set of pixel data. An analysis unit determines whether to compress the channel transformed set of pixel data or the original set of pixel data based on performing a comparison of the two sets of pixel data. In one scenario, the channel transformed set of pixel data is generated by calculating the difference between a first pixel component and a second pixel component for each pixel of the set of pixel data. The difference is then compared to the original first pixel component for each pixel. If the difference is less than or equal to the original for a threshold number of pixels, then the analysis unit decides to apply the color channel transform prior to compression.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for converting pixel data to a custom swizzle mode are disclosed. A graphics engine receives data in a pre-defined swizzle mode. The graphics engine determines a custom swizzle mode for the data that has directionality aligned to the data itself to further optimize deltas that are used for compressing the data. The graphics engine groups incoming data into group of two neighboring pixels in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The graphics engine scores horizontal and vertical groupings against each other to make a first swizzle mode bit selection. Then the graphics engine increases the grouping of pixels to include additional pixels and scores the increased groupings against each other to make subsequent swizzle mode bit selections. The data is reswizzled into the custom swizzle mode and provided to a compressor to be compressed.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include semiconductor processing tools. In an embodiment, the semiconductor processing tool comprises a chamber, a chuck within the chamber, where the chuck is configured to rotate, a pedestal holder around the chuck, and a utility column coupled to the chuck. In an embodiment, the utility column comprises a magnetic coupler to enable rotation of portions of the utility column and the chuck, and a rotary electrical feedthrough.

Abstract: A helicopter tug apparatus for loading, transporting, and unloading a helicopter landing skid includes a plurality of landing skid loading units. The loading units are arranged to support the landing skid, and each of the loading units includes a skid cradle with a plurality of tug rollers configured to engage the landing skid. The loading units each include a drive track, and at least one motor for operating the skid cradle and the drive track. The rollers are reverse synchronized with the drive track, such that when the drive track moves the loading unit under the landing skid, the tug rollers turn in reverse to avoid placing lateral force on the landing skid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing pipeline operation are disclosed, including an operating system for optimizing a pipeline objective for a pipeline system comprising a plurality of pipeline sections, the operating system comprising a controller configured to: (i) generate a current state of at least one section of the pipeline, the current state comprising the measured state of at least one pipeline object and at least one fluid object; (ii) generate a line fill; (iii) generate a predicted future state of the at least one section of the pipeline from the line fill, and a schedule of planned additions of fluids and planned flow rates; (iv) generate an optimized future state of the at least one section of the pipeline with an optimization function; and (v) determine one or more setpoints to implement the optimized future state.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for performing color channel correlation detection are disclosed. A compression engine performs a color channel transform on an original set of pixel data to generate a channel transformed set of pixel data. An analysis unit determines whether to compress the channel transformed set of pixel data or the original set of pixel data based on performing a comparison of the two sets of pixel data. In one scenario, the channel transformed set of pixel data is generated by calculating the difference between a first pixel component and a second pixel component for each pixel of the set of pixel data. The difference is then compared to the original first pixel component for each pixel. If the difference is less than or equal to the original for a threshold number of pixels, then the analysis unit decides to apply the color channel transform prior to compression.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing a discard engine in a graphics pipeline are disclosed. A system includes a graphics pipeline with a geometry engine launching shaders that generate attribute data for vertices of each primitive of a set of primitives. The attribute data is consumed by pixel shaders, with each pixel shader generating a deallocation message when the pixel shader no longer needs the attribute data. A discard engine gathers deallocations from multiple pixel shaders and determines when the attribute data is no longer needed. Once a block of attributes has been consumed by all potential pixel shader consumers, the discard engine deallocates the given block of attributes. The discard engine sends a discard command to the caches so that the attribute data can be invalidated and not written back to memory.

Abstract: A helicopter tug apparatus for loading, transporting, and unloading a helicopter landing skid includes a plurality of landing skid loading units. The loading units are arranged to support the landing skid, and each of the loading units includes a skid cradle with a plurality of tug rollers configured to engage the landing skid. The loading units each include a drive track, and at least one motor for operating the skid cradle and the drive track. The rollers are reverse synchronized with the drive track, such that when the drive track moves the loading unit under the landing skid, the tug rollers turn in reverse to avoid placing lateral force on the landing skid.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing automatic data format detection techniques are disclosed. A graphics engine receives data of indeterminate format and the graphics engine predicts an organization of the data. As part of the prediction, the graphics engine predicts the pixel depth (i.e., bytes per pixel (BPP)) and format separately. The graphics engine folds the data along pixel and channel boundaries to help in determining the pixel depth and format. The graphics engine scores modes against each other to generate different predictions for different formats. Then, the graphics engine generates scores for the predictions to determine which mode has a highest correlation with the input data. Next, the graphics engine chooses the format which attains the best score among the scores that were generated for the different modes. Then, the graphics engine compresses the unknown data using the chosen format with the best score.

Abstract: A pivoting cradle apparatus for capturing an aircraft wheel on an aircraft tug includes a cradle sized for holding the wheel, mounted on at least one pivot block and configured to pivot between a wheel loading position and a wheel retaining position. A latch mechanism is disposed under the cradle, biased to swing into an upright position wherein it seats in a notch on the cradle, locking the cradle in the wheel retaining position. A latch release mechanism is configured to urge the latch out of the upright position, and when it does so, the latch slides along the underside of the cradle as the cradle pivots down. into the wheel loading position.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing automatic data format detection techniques are disclosed. A graphics engine receives data of indeterminate format and the graphics engine predicts an organization of the data. As part of the prediction, the graphics engine predicts the pixel depth (i.e., bytes per pixel (BPP)) and format separately. The graphics engine folds the data along pixel and channel boundaries to help in determining the pixel depth and format. The graphics engine scores modes against each other to generate different predictions for different formats. Then, the graphics engine generates scores for the predictions to determine which mode has a highest correlation with the input data. Next, the graphics engine chooses the format which attains the best score among the scores that were generated for the different modes. Then, the graphics engine compresses the unknown data using the chosen format with the best score.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for converting pixel data to a custom swizzle mode are disclosed. A graphics engine receives data in a pre-defined swizzle mode. The graphics engine determines a custom swizzle mode for the data that has directionality aligned to the data itself to further optimize deltas that are used for compressing the data. The graphics engine groups incoming data into group of two neighboring pixels in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The graphics engine scores horizontal and vertical groupings against each other to make a first swizzle mode bit selection. Then the graphics engine increases the grouping of pixels to include additional pixels and scores the increased groupings against each other to make subsequent swizzle mode bit selections. The data is reswizzled into the custom swizzle mode and provided to a compressor to be compressed.

Abstract: A pivoting cradle apparatus for capturing an aircraft wheel on an aircraft tug includes a cradle sized for holding the wheel, mounted on at least one pivot block and configured to pivot between a wheel loading position and a wheel retaining position. A latch mechanism is disposed under the cradle, biased to swing into an upright position wherein it seats in a notch on the cradle, locking the cradle in the wheel retaining position. A latch release mechanism is configured to urge the latch out of the upright position, and when it does so, the latch slides along the underside of the cradle as the cradle pivots down. into the wheel loading position.

Abstract: A cosmetic display assembly includes first, second, and third display panels. The first and second display panels are configured to be stacked along a vertical axis and electromechanically coupled to one another. The third display panel has a post configured for receipt in an electrical receptacle of the first display panel.

Abstract: An aircraft tug apparatus for tugging an aircraft by an aircraft tire includes a turntable on a main base portion of the tug, capable of rotational movement relative to the main base portion. A tire cradle assembly on the turntable releasably holds the aircraft tire, and a latch mechanism holds the tire cradle assembly in a position that confines the aircraft tire. A pivoting arm coupled to the main base portion extends under the turntable. The pivoting arm includes a first plunger and a second plunger extending therefrom, with the first plunger coupled to the pivoting arm using a spring assembly allowing it to move up and down relative to the pivoting arm. The spring assembly is configured such that the pivoting arm may move the second plunger to engage the latch mechanism while the first plunger is impinged by the turntable.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for performing shader writes to compressed surfaces are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor includes at least a memory and one or more shader units. In one embodiment, a shader unit of the processor is configured to receive a write request targeted to a compressed surface. The shader unit is configured to identify a first block of the compressed surface targeted by the write request. Responsive to determining the data of the write request targets less than the entirety of the first block, the first shader unit reads the first block from the cache and decompress the first block. Next, the first shader unit merges the data of the write request with the decompressed first block. Then, the shader unit compresses the merged data and writes the merged data to the cache.

Abstract: An aircraft tug wheel cradle with a front ramp assembly and a rear gate assembly on a base plate, each hingedly mounted and movable between a wheel-mounting position and a wheel-confining position. A first side clamp and a second side clamp are hingedly coupled to the base plate on opposing sides of the vehicle wheel, and movable between a lower position and an upper position coinciding with the wheel-confining position. The first side clamp and the second side clamp are each preferably hingedly attached to the base plate at other than an ninety degree angle in order to grasp the vehicle wheel, such that the vehicle is prevented from lateral and upward, as well as front and back movement.