Abstract: A first backplane for being electrically coupled to a second backplane, a system monitoring module, and at least one transducer monitoring module includes a system interface bus configured to be coupled to the system monitoring module and the second backplane. The intermediate backplane also includes at least one monitor interface bus configured to be coupled to the at least one transducer monitoring module and the second backplane and an intermediate backplane bus configured to be coupled to the at least one transducer monitoring module and the system monitoring module.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for efficiently processing information are disclosed. In some embodiments, this may include creating a first signature index, deriving a second signature index, wherein the second signature index is created by a backup application, comparing the first signature index to a second signature index, determining a positive signature match based on the comparison, and identifying a software application based on the positive signature match.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes a membrane. The membrane includes a porous support and a polymeric layer disposed on the porous support. The membrane further includes a plurality of substantially hydrophobic mesoporous nanoparticles disposed within the polymeric layer. A water treatment system and a method of making a membrane are also presented.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method may include receiving first monitored information relating to a user at a time of initial user authentication with a particular application or resource. It may be determined that a second authentication is required at a second time subsequent to the time of initial user authentication. Second monitored information may be captured at the second time. The second monitored information may be compared to the first monitored information to determine whether continued authentication is maintained. Access to the particular application or resource when it is determined that continued authentication is not maintained.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.

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: This invention provides transgenic plant cells with recombinant DNA for expression of proteins that are useful for imparting enhanced agronomic trait(s) to transgenic crop plants. This invention also provides transgenic plants and progeny seed comprising the transgenic plant cells where the plants are selected for having an enhanced trait selected from the group of traits consisting of enhanced water use efficiency, enhanced cold tolerance, increased yield, enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, enhanced seed protein and enhanced seed oil. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing transgenic seed and plants with enhanced traits.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling command voltages applied to electrodes during an electrophysiology measurement procedure using a high-throughput measurement system is provided. An initial command voltage is applied to the electrodes to obtain baseline currents respectively associated with the electrodes. A common offset voltage is determined based on the baseline currents, and an adjusted command voltage is determined based on the initial command voltage and the common offset voltage. The adjusted command voltage is applied to at least one of the electrodes to obtain an adjusted current measured by the electrode. A local offset voltage for the electrode is determined based on the adjusted current measured by the electrode. A subsequent command voltage applied to the electrode incorporates the common offset voltage and the local offset voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation thermal management 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. A heat sink means is configured to conduct heat away from the sample undergoing sample preparation in the ion beam.

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: A method for the application of at least two different powder coating layers to a substrate comprising the steps of application of a first powder coating layer followed by the application of a second powder coating layer, without any substantial curing of the first powder coating layer prior to the application of the second powder coating layer, followed by the simultaneous curing of the first powder coating layer and the second powder coating layer, wherein the first powder coating layer is applied to the substrate using a corona charging system and the second powder coating layer is applied to the substrate using a tribo charging system, or the first powder coating layer is applied to the substrate using a tribo charging system and the second powder coating layer is applied to the substrate using a corona charging system and the first powder coating layer and second powder coating layer have an opposite electrostatic polarity.

Abstract: A stake removal device is provided. The device includes a proximal end for engaging a stake and distal end for engaging the user's hand. The device further includes an elongated intermediate portion in connection with the proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: A Trench gate MOS field-effect transistor having a narrow, lightly doped, region extending from a channel accommodating region (3) of same conductivity type immediately adjacent the trench sidewall. The narrow region may be self-aligned to the top of a lower polysilicon shield region in the trench or may extend the complete depth of the trench. The narrow region advantageously relaxes the manufacturing tolerances, which otherwise require close alignment of the upper polysilicon trench gate to the body-drain junction.

Abstract: A method and an associated apparatus for a signal rectification and timing circuit. A variable amplitude input signal is generated. An upper threshold level is determined and a lower threshold level is determined. The variable amplitude input signal and the upper threshold level are input into a first comparator. The variable amplitude input signal and the lower threshold level are input into a second comparator. A first digital output signal is generated in the first comparator using a hysteresis circuit and a second digital output signal is generated in the second comparator using a hysteresis circuit. The first digital output signal and the second digital output signal are input into a logic array. A digital level pulse output signal is generated in the logic array that has a digital transition where the variable amplitude input signal passed through a threshold level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite membrane comprising a porous base membrane and a polyamide coating disposed on said porous base membrane, said polyamide coating comprising a C3-C8 cyclic carbonyl compound and a C1-C8 amide compound, said amide compound comprising at least one N—H moiety. In addition the present invention provides a method of preparing a composite membrane comprising contacting under interfacial polymerization conditions an organic solution comprising a polyacid halide with an aqueous solution comprising a polyamine, said contacting being carried out on a surface of a porous base membrane, said organic solution further comprising a C3-C8 cyclic carbonyl compound, said aqueous solution comprising a C1-C8 amide compound, said amide compound comprising at least one N—H moiety.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods for using the embodiments. The apparatus comprises a tilting 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. The tilting ion beam irradiating means may direct ions at the sample from more than one tilt angle.

Abstract: A mechanism for releasing an eye strip from a backing material card is described. The backing material card includes a movable flap that releases a right and/or left undamaged end of a strip (for right or left hand preference) into free space in order to conveniently lift the strip off the backing material, preferably between the user's thumb and index fmger, for proper orientation and placement on the eyelid.

Abstract: A system for changing the acoustical characteristics of a musical membranophone having a vibrating membrane or a stringed musical instrument having a sound box includes an overlay including indicia dividing a surface of the vibrating membrane or sound box into discrete zones enabling a user to position magnetic members to obtain predictable effects based on experimentation or a guide such as a diagram illustrating the position of magnetic members on the overlay, a first rare earth magnetic member is adapted to be disposed on a first side of the membrane or sound box, a second rare earth magnetic member is disposed on an opposed side of the membrane or sound box such that the first and second magnetic members are magnetically engaged on opposed sides of the membrane or sound box wherein the mass of the first and second magnetic member is sufficient to change the acoustical characteristics of the instrument.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating the navigation of a list of content items with gestures are described. Consistent with some embodiments, a computing device detects simple gestures, and in response, display a preview of content items preceding, or following a currently selected content item, from the list of content items. Upon detecting a selection gesture, the computing device updates the view of the currently selected content item to display the newly selected content item.