Abstract: An alignment method includes directing an illumination beam with a first polarization state to form a diffracted beam with a second polarization state from an alignment target, and passing the diffracted beam through a polarization analyzer. The alignment method further includes measuring a polarization state of the diffracted beam and determining a location of the alignment target from the measured polarization state relative to its initial polarization state. The alignment target includes a plurality of diffraction gratings with a single pitch and two or more duty cycles, wherein the pitch is smaller than a wavelength of the illumination beam, and the location of the alignment target corresponds to the duty cycle of the diffraction grating.

Abstract: Systems disclosed herein are directed to a display stand unit for a retail environment. The display stand unit includes a base having an interior and a display stand. The display stand includes a stem that connects to and extends upwardly from the base and a receiving surface that is suspended above and spaced away from the base by the stem. The receiving surface is configured to releasably hold an electronic device above and spaced away from the base. The display stand unit further includes a security cable that extends out from the base. The security cable is configured to attach to the electronic device to movably secure the electronic device to the base. The display stand unit further includes a retractor disposed within the interior of the base and connected to the security cable. The retractor automatically retracts the security cable.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a condition associated with a pellicle for use in a lithographic apparatus, the apparatus including a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a property associated with the pellicle, the property being indicative of the pellicle condition.

Abstract: A lighting system for a ceiling grid system may provide lighting at a location below the ceiling grid system. The light fixture includes a light source and a support member, and the light fixture may provide diffusely reflected light to a ceiling grid opening. The light fixture may include a wall assembly that is adapted to be moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for providing instructions when receiving biometric data associated with a user. For instance, a device may detect a portion of a user, such as a hand. The device may then display a first graphical element indicating a target location for placing the portion of the user above the user-recognition device. Additionally, the device may determine locations of the portion of the user above the device. The device may then display a second graphical element indicating the locations, such as when the locations are not proximate to the target location. Additionally, the device may display instructions for moving the portion of the user to the target location. Based on detecting that the location of the portion of the user is proximate to the target location, the device may send data representing the portion of the user to a remote system.

Abstract: A magnetic toy figure includes a torso extending along a torso axis. The torso includes a first torso side, a second torso side opposite the first torso side, a base torso side extending between the first and second torso sides, and a head torso side extending between the first and second torso sides and spaced from the base torso side. The magnetic toy figure also includes a first arm coupled to the first torso side, a second arm coupled to said second torso side, a leg coupled to and extending away from the base torso side, and a head coupled to and extending away from the head torso side along the torso axis. The magnetic toy figure further includes a first magnet coupled to the first arm, a second magnet coupled to the second arm, a leg magnet coupled to the leg, and a head magnet coupled to said head.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for endodontic treatment of teeth provide effective cleaning of organic material (such as pulp and diseased tissue) from the root canal system. In an embodiment, a compressor system generates high pressure liquid (e.g., water) that flows through an orifice to produce a high-velocity collimated jet of liquid. The high-velocity jet is directed toward a surface of a tooth, for example, an exposed dentinal surface, and impingement of the jet onto the surface generates an acoustic wave that propagates throughout the tooth. The acoustic wave effectively detaches organic material from dentinal surfaces and tubules. The detached organic material is flushed from the root canal system by the liquid jet and/or by additional irrigation.

Abstract: A lighting system for a ceiling grid system may provide lighting at a location below the ceiling grid system. The light fixture includes a light source and a support member, and the light fixture may provide diffusely reflected light to a ceiling grid opening. The light fixture may include a wall assembly that is adapted to be moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a condition associated with a pellicle for use in a lithographic apparatus, the apparatus including a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to measure a property associated with the pellicle, the property being indicative of the pellicle condition.

Abstract: PDCs, methods of fabricating the PDCs, and methods of using the PDCs are disclosed herein. The PDCs include a PCD table bonded to a substrate. The PCD table includes an upper surface having a plurality of recessed features formed therein. The plurality of recessed features are configured to attract at least some cracks that form in the PCD table. As such, the plurality of recessed features limit or prevent crack propagation into other portions of the PCD table and limit a volume of the PCD table that spalls. Methods of fabricating the PDCs include partially leaching the PCD table and, after leaching the PCD table, forming the plurality of recessed features in the upper surface thereof. Method of using the PDCs include rotating a PDC that has spalled relative to a rotary drill bit such that a portion of the upper surface of the PDC that has not spalled forms a cutting surface thereof.

Abstract: An engine parameter estimation tuning system includes an engine parameter estimator unit and a gas path analysis (GPA) unit. The engine parameter estimator unit includes an onboard model (OBM) configured to output estimated parameters based on operation of a gas turbine engine. The gas path analysis (GPA) unit includes a performance health monitor unit configured to adjust a long-term deterioration parameter independently from adjustment of a short-term tuning parameter to tune one or more targeted estimation parameters included in the estimated engine parameter. In this manner, the engine parameter estimation tuning system can realize the different time scales associated with uncertainties in an engine and accommodate them separately so that the estimated engine parameters become much more accurate.

Abstract: A product display stand for reducing displayed product movement can be used in a retail environment to reduce movement of a product displayed by the product display stand. Such product display stand includes a damping assembly configured to attach to a display platform. The damping assembly includes a housing configured to attach to the display platform. The housing defines a damping chamber. The assembly also includes within the chamber a damping flange and damping material. The product display stand also includes a display post fixed to the damping flange. The display post extends above the display platform and to retain and display a product.

Abstract: Ice making appliances and methods for making ice using a machine-readable ice cube mold are provided herein. The ice making appliances and methods of making ice may include obtaining ice mold identifier data from the ice mold. Ice mold identifier may be used to acquire operating parameters of the ice making appliance specific to that ice mold from an external communication network. The operating parameters may be used to adjust operation of the appliance, such as the volume of water to dispense for that particular mold.

Abstract: A system (500) includes an illumination system (502), a lens element (506), and a detector (504). The illumination system generates a beam of radiation (510) having a first spatial intensity distribution (800) at a pupil plane (528) and a second spatial intensity distribution (900) at a plane of a target (514). The first spatial intensity distribution comprises an annular intensity profile (802) or an intensity profile corresponding to three or more beams. The lens element focuses the beam onto the target. The second spatial intensity distribution is a conjugate of the first intensity distribution and has an intensity profile corresponding to a central beam (902) and one or more side lobes (904) that are substantially isolated from the central beam. The central beam has a beam diameter of approximately 20 microns or less at the target. The detector receives radiation scattered by the target and generates a measurement signal based on the received radiation.

Abstract: Provided herein are various embodiments relating to antibodies and fusion proteins and uses thereof. Some of the embodiments include antibodies that bind CCR8. Some of the embodiments include fusion proteins that bind CCR8. Such antibodies and fusion proteins can be used in methods to treat, for example, cancer.

Abstract: Inspection methods, apparatuses, and techniques are described herein for identifying defects in a plugged honeycomb body (100). The inspection apparatuses and methods herein utilize reduced distortion imaging to identify the defects in the plugged honeycomb body. Backlit and/or directly illuminated images (by e.g. first light source 308) of the plugged honeycomb body (100) can be captured (by e.g. camera 302) and analyzed to align (by e.g. actuators 306) the plugged honeycomb body (100) in an imaging apparatus and to identify the defects.

Abstract: Method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element may include laser ablating at least a portion of a polycrystalline diamond element to form a laser-shaped surface and exposing at least a portion of the laser-shaped surface to a leaching solution to define a leached polycrystalline diamond volume and an unleached polycrystalline diamond volume.

Abstract: A bonusing system for gaming devices provides a bonus award eligible to be won via participating gaming devices. A messaging application programming interface (API) receives wagering event messages in a first message format from third-party servers. A message queue receives wagering event messages from the messaging API in a second message format. A bonusing system server manages award determination for the bonus award.

Abstract: A reciprocating saw includes a housing, a motor, and a drive mechanism. The motor includes an output gear rotatable about a motor axis. The drive mechanism includes a driven gear that engages the output gear and is rotated by the motor. The driven gear has a circumference and is vertically-oriented within the housing. The drive mechanism also includes an output shaft coupled to the driven gear and configured to reciprocate relative to the housing. The drive mechanism further includes a single counterweight fixed relative to the driven gear and rotating with the driven gear through a path and in a same direction. As the counterweight moves through a rearward half of the path, the counterweight generally moves in an upward direction, and as the counterweight moves through a forward half of the path, the counterweight generally moves in a downward direction.

Abstract: Provided herein are various embodiments relating to antibodies and fusion proteins and uses thereof. Some of the embodiments include antibodies that bind CCR8. Some of the embodiments include fusion proteins that bind CCR8. Such antibodies and fusion proteins can be used in methods to treat, for example, cancer.