Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods for using the embodiments. The apparatus comprises an ion beam irradiating means in a vacuum chamber that may direct ions toward a sample, a shield blocking a portion of the ions directed toward the sample, and a shield retention stage with shield retention means that replaceably and removably holds the shield in a position. The shield has datum features which abut complementary datum features on the shield retention stage when the shield is held in the shield retention stage. A retention stage lifting means allows the creation of a loading chamber that is isolated from the main vacuum chamber where sample ion beam milling takes place. A heat sink means is configured to conduct heat away from the sample undergoing sample preparation in the ion beam.

Abstract: An approach is provided for logically connecting customer endpoint devices to transaction services. The customer endpoint devices perform a customer purchase transaction and require access to transaction services to process payments and benefits that may be available for certain items. The customer endpoint devices use a transaction connection mediator to isolate communications with the transaction services.

Abstract: A signal interface system and method of interfacing signal input sources with user output destination devices are provided. The signal interface system is configurable to accept one of a plurality of types of inputs. The signal interface system includes a common section, and a module section including two or more monitor modules. The two or more monitor modules condition a received signal for consumption by a user output destination device. The common input section allows monitor modules to be removed without impacting the function of other monitor modules in the system. The signal interface accepts either discrete inputs or process variable current inputs.

Abstract: Tape articles having improved properties are made from ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) multi-filament yarns. The tape articles can have a ratio of the low temperature area under the curve (120° C. to Tm-onset) to the total area under the curve (120° C. to 165° C.) of less than about 0.15 as calculated from an increasing temperature DSC scan from a temperature of 30° C. to a temperature of 200° C. at a constant rate of 10° C. per minute. Additionally, in some examples the tape articles can also have a tenacity at least about 24 g/d (2.06 GPa) when measured by ASTM D882-09 at a 10 inch (25.4 cm) gauge length and at an extension rate of 100%/min. Further, the tape articles can have no long period of less than 450 Angstroms (?) when measured by small angle x-ray analysis.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for efficiently processing information are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first signature index is received. The first signature index is compared to a second signature index. A negative signature match is based on the comparison. A file is flagged based on the negative match.

Abstract: A system for detection of turbulent air flow across a sail of a sailboat, comprising at least one base module arranged to be attached to said sail; an elongate body arranged to move in said air flow, which is attached to said at least one base module at one end; a power source on said at least one base module; at least one sensor on said at least one base module arranged to detect movement of said elongate body; and a signalling device arranged to output signals to a sailor on said sailboat in response to signals received from said at least one sensor; wherein said base module comprises at least one radiator which is arranged to transmit electromagnetic or optical radiation in the direction of said elongate body moving in said air flow; and said at least one sensor on said base module is arranged to detect reflected radiation from said elongate body moving in said air flow.

Abstract: An ophthalmic treatment system of an embodiment is used for performing therapy on target tissue in a patient's eye. The ophthalmic treatment system comprises, a light source, a delivery system, an obtaining means, a setting means and control electronics. The light source is configured to produce treatment light. The delivery system is configured to deliver the treatment light to the patient's eye. The obtaining means is configured to obtain information acquired by capturing the patient's eye. The setting means is used for setting a position in the patient's eye by using the information obtained by the obtaining means. The control electronics is configured to control the delivery system based on the position set by the setting means.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods. The apparatus has disposed in a vacuum chamber at least one tilting ion beam irradiating means with intensity control, a rotation stage with rotation control, a sample holder, and an adjustable positioning stage that has two axes of positional adjustment that are operable to move the region of the sample being prepared by the ion beam relative to the ion beam. The apparatus may also include a vacuum-tight optical window for observing the sample and a shutter for protecting the optical window from debris while the sample is prepared in the ion beam.

Abstract: Methods and systems for communicating expense management information between an expense management system and a mobile device are provided. The methods and systems include one or more applications for a mobile device, such as mobile phone, that enable a user, such as an expense manager for an entity such as a business entity or other organization, to use their mobile device to communicate and exchange data with an expense management system, such as a telecommunications expense management system. The methods and systems enable an expense manager to review and approve invoices, generate graphics to review usage or other data, and conduct data searches relative to the expenses being managed.

Abstract: An ophthalmic treatment system of an embodiment is used for performing therapy on target tissue in a patient's eye. The ophthalmic treatment system comprises a light source, a delivery system, a storage device, an adjusting means, a display device. The light source is configured to produce treatment light. The delivery system is configured to deliver the treatment light to the patient's eye. The storage device is configured to store a treatment template that identifies target tissue within the patient's eye. The adjusting means is configured for adjusting a treatment pattern included in the treatment template. The display device is configured to display information indicating the treatment pattern included in the treatment template and display information indicating the treatment pattern that has been adjusted by the adjusting means.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam shield for use in an ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods for using the embodiments. The apparatus has an ion beam irradiating means in a vacuum chamber that may direct ions toward a sample, a shield blocking a portion of the ions directed toward the sample, and a shield retention stage with shield retention means that replaceably and removably holds the shield in a position. The ion beam shield has datum features which abut complementary datum features on the shield retention stage when the shield is held in the shield retention stage. The shield has features which enable the durable adhering of the sample to the shield for processing the sample with the ion beam. The complementary datum features on both shield and shield retention stage enable accurate and repeatable positioning of the sample in the apparatus for sample processing and reprocessing.

Abstract: A zip fastener including fabric tapes having coupling elements thereon is provided. A coating layer of thermoplastic material is provided on at least one first surface of the fastener tapes. The coating layer extends continuously along the first surface, extends over an edge of the fastener tapes and extends along at least one second surface of the fastener tapes.

Abstract: A powertrain/driveline warm-up system includes a vehicle controller, an electrical power source interfacing with the vehicle controller, at least one heater interfacing with the vehicle controller and at least a portion of a vehicle powertrain provided in thermal contact with the at least one heater.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for efficiently processing information are disclosed. In some embodiments, this may include creating a first signature of a file, associating a first timestamp with the first signature, creating a second signature of a file, associating a second timestamp with the second signature, comparing the first signature with the second signature, determining if the file has been modified based on the comparison, and identifying a time of modification based on the first timestamp and the second timestamp.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods for using the embodiments. The apparatus comprises an ion beam irradiating means in a vacuum chamber that may direct ions toward a sample, a shield blocking a portion of the ions directed toward the sample, and a shield retention stage with shield retention means that replaceably and removably holds the shield in a position. The shield has datum features which abut complementary datum features on the shield retention stage when the shield is held in the shield retention stage. The shield has features which enable the durable adhering of the sample to the shield for processing the sample with the ion beam. The complementary datum features on both shield and shield retention stage enable accurate and repeatable positioning of the sample in the apparatus for sample processing and reprocessing. Additionally, apparatus kits are disclosed that enable the use of the same shields in the observation of prepared samples.

Abstract: A method for blended animation by providing a set of animation sequences associated with an animated character model is disclosed. In one embodiment, a geometric representation of a blend space is generated from the set of animation sequences using locator nodes associated with each animation sequence. A subset of animation sequences is selected from the set of animation sequences by casting a ray from a reference bone to a target through the geometric representation and selecting animation sequences that are geometrically close to the intersection of the cast ray and the geometric representation. A blend weight is determined for each member animation sequence in the selected subset of animation sequences. A blended animation is generated using the selected subset of animation sequences and the blend weights, then rendered to create a final animation.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods. The methods operate on a sample disposed in a vacuum chamber and include steps of directing an intensity-controllable, tilt-angle controllable ion beam at a sample holder coupled to a rotation stage. The methods further include illuminating and capturing one or more images of the sample, extracting useful features from one or more images and thereafter adjusting the sample preparation steps. Further methods are disclosed for capturing sequences of images, programmatically rotating images, and displaying sequences of images with similar rotation angles. Further methods include extracting useful features from sequences of images that may change with respect to time as ion beam preparation continues.

Abstract: An engine control system of the present disclosure comprises a target speed module and a coupling module. The target speed module determines a target speed of a vehicle based on a speed of the vehicle and at least one of an accelerator input and a speed control input. The coupling module controls coupling of an engine system and a drive system of the vehicle based on the speed and the target speed. The engine system transfers torque to the drive system when coupled and does not transfer torque to the drive system when decoupled. In other features, the engine control system further comprises a torque control module that controls torque output by the engine system based on the coupling of the engine system and the drive system, the speed, and the target speed.

Abstract: A promotion verification method which is based upon locally stored information. The promotion verification method includes recording entry of a promotion code by a computer, determining a key from the promotion code by the computer, and applying the key to obtain promotion information associated with the promotion code by the computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compound(s) selected from the group of compounds represented by structural Formula (I): wherein X, Y and R1 are as described herein, use of such compounds as anaerobic cure accelerators, and compostions including such compounds.