Abstract: A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: The instant disclosure is generally directed to low viscosity, low volatility lubricating compositions. The lubricating composition of the instant disclosure includes an oil of lubricating viscosity that contains a lubricating base oil and a hydrocarbon oil. The hydrocarbon oil makes up least 20 wt % of the oil of lubricating viscosity and has a kinematic viscosity of less than 3.7 c St at 100° C. and a NOACK volatility (measured by ASTM D5800) of less than 25 wt %. The lubricant composition further includes a polyalkenyl succinimide dispersant, and, optionally, other formulation additives. The lubricating compositions have been shown to increase fuel economy in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for providing simulated smoke. The apparatus comprises a reservoir including a reservoir port, and a bladder disposed in the reservoir. The bladder can be deflated to cause a fluid substance to flow through the reservoir port into the reservoir to fill the reservoir with the fluid substance to generate smoke. The bladder can be inflated to cause smoke to flow out of the reservoir through the reservoir port to provide simulated smoke.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for providing simulated smoke. The apparatus comprises a reservoir including a reservoir port, and a bladder disposed in the reservoir. The bladder can be deflated to cause a fluid substance to flow through the reservoir port into the reservoir to fill the reservoir with the fluid substance to generate smoke. The bladder can be inflated to cause smoke to flow out of the reservoir through the reservoir port to provide simulated smoke.

Abstract: A semiconductor inspection apparatus performs a hybrid inspection process including cell-to-cell inspection, die-to-die inspection and die-to-golden or die-to-database inspection. The apparatus creates a golden image of a reticle complimentary to portions of the reticle that can be inspected by cell-to-cell inspection or die-to-die inspection. Alternatively, the apparatus creates a reduced database complimentary to portions of the reticle that can be inspected by cell-to-cell inspection or die-to-die inspection.

Abstract: A gel cushion seating, back, and neck surface is attached to or integrated with the seat and/or back sections of a chair. The gel cushion seating surface of the chair has a plurality of gel cushion cylinders arranged in an array to provide a rhythmically changing support area at multiple points on the occupant's back, neck, or buttocks and thighs. This provides a comforting massage, which reduces stress on the body associated with prolonged seating. The gel cushion back surface of the chair has a plurality of gel cushion cylinders arranged in a grid that provide a rhythmically changing support at multiple points on the occupant's lumbar and center back, also including the spine and neck. Various “cams” translate torque into the specified motion of gel cushion cylinders.

Abstract: A semiconductor inspection apparatus identifies regions of a reticle or semiconductor wafer appropriate for cell-to-cell inspection by analyzing a semiconductor design database. Appropriate regions can be identified in a region map for use by offline inspection tools.

Abstract: A method for treating water at a water treatment facility is provided. In one aspect, the water has been circulated through a subsurface formation in a shale oil development area. The subsurface formation may comprise shale that has been spent due to pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons. The method in one embodiment includes receiving the water at the water treatment facility, and treating the water at the water treatment facility in order to (i) substantially separate oil from the water, (ii) substantially remove organic materials from the water, (iii) substantially reduce hardness and alkalinity of the water, (iv) substantially remove dissolved inorganic solids from the water, and/or (v) substantially remove suspended solids from the water. The method may further includes delivering the water that has been treated at the water treatment facility re-injecting the treated water into the subsurface formation to continue leaching out contaminants from the spent shale.

Abstract: Methods and systems of processing payments globally over one of a plurality of payment processing paths employ computer hardware and software for receiving a request to access a global payment utility, presenting a plurality of payment options by the global payment utility, and receiving information by the global payment utility consisting at least in part of a source of payment, a payment destination, and a user-designated payment vehicle. Upon receiving the information, one of a plurality of payment processing paths for the payment is selected according to a clearing rules aspect of a rules engine of the global payment utility, and the payment is routed for processing via the selected payment processing path.

Abstract: Methods and systems of processing payments globally over one of a plurality of payment processing paths employ computer hardware and software for receiving a request to access a global payment utility, presenting a plurality of payment options by the global payment utility, and receiving information by the global payment utility consisting at least in part of a source of payment, a payment destination, and a user-designated payment vehicle. Upon receiving the information, one of a plurality of payment processing paths for the payment is selected according to a clearing rules aspect of a rules engine of the global payment utility, and the payment is routed for processing via the selected payment processing path.

Abstract: A semiconductor inspection apparatus performs a hybrid inspection process including cell-to-cell inspection, die-to-die inspection and die-to-golden or die-to-database inspection. The apparatus creates a golden image of a reticle complimentary to portions of the reticle that can be inspected by cell-to-cell inspection or die-to-die inspection. Alternatively, the apparatus creates a reduced database complimentary to portions of the reticle that can be inspected by cell-to-cell inspection or die-to-die inspection.

Abstract: Methods and systems of processing payments globally over one of a plurality of payment processing paths employ computer hardware and software for receiving a request to access a global payment utility, presenting a plurality of payment options by the global payment utility, and receiving information by the global payment utility consisting at least in part of a source of payment, a payment destination, and a user-designated payment vehicle. Upon receiving the information, one of a plurality of payment processing paths for the payment is selected according to a clearing rules aspect of a rules engine of the global payment utility, and the payment is routed for processing via the selected payment processing path.

Abstract: A semiconductor inspection apparatus identifies regions of a reticle or semiconductor wafer appropriate for cell-to-cell inspection by analyzing a semiconductor design database. Appropriate regions can be identified in a region map for use by offline inspection tools.

Abstract: A bed having a frame and a deck is disclosed. The deck has at least a horizontal position and a chair position. The deck has an adjustable-length foot section.

Abstract: A bed having a frame and a deck is disclosed. The deck has at least a horizontal position and a chair position. The deck has an adjustable-length foot section.

Abstract: Method for SOx remediation in a manufacturing operation includes providing a process stream including an organic compound and an amount of a sulfur-containing compound, an oxidation stream including at least one chemical oxidant, and combining at least a portion of the oxidant stream with at least a portion of the process stream to obtain an organic stripper feed stream, in which the amount of the sulfur-containing compound is reduced upon reaction with the at least one chemical oxidant. The method can further include directing at least a portion of the organic stripper feed stream to a combustion operation, and emitting a SOx remediated off gas from the combustion operation. A system using the disclosed method also is provided.

Abstract: A method for treating water at a water treatment facility is provided. In one aspect, the water has been circulated through a subsurface formation in a shale oil development area. The subsurface formation may comprise shale that has been spent due to pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons. The method in one embodiment includes receiving the water at the water treatment facility, and treating the water at the water treatment facility in order to (i) substantially separate oil from the water, (ii) substantially remove organic materials from the water, (iii) substantially reduce hardness and alkalinity of the water, (iv) substantially remove dissolved inorganic solids from the water, and/or (v) substantially remove suspended solids from the water. The method may further includes delivering the water that has been treated at the water treatment facility re-injecting the treated water into the subsurface formation to continue leaching out contaminants from the spent shale.

Abstract: A separation device comprises a cylindrical separation pack including a spirally wound porous medium, a feed channel including a shear region, a plurality of permeate passages extending along the permeate side of the porous medium opposite the shear region and perpendicular to the feed channel, a feed inlet, a retentate outlet, and a plurality of permeate outlets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a module for processing a fluid comprising a body of wound layers of a sheet material, said body having an inner and an outer peripheral surface, a first and a second end face and a passage extending along the winding axis of said body and in fluid communication with said inner peripheral surface, said sheet material having a plurality of openings formed therein, said openings forming at least three types of channels within the wound layers of sheet material of said body, said channels extending in a direction from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface, a first type of channel(s) being open at one end at said outer peripheral surface of the body and closed at the other end located adjacent to said inner peripheral surface, a second type of channel(s) being open at one end at said inner peripheral surface of the body, in fluid communication with said passage and closed at the other end located adjacent to said outer peripheral surface, a third type of cha