Abstract: Techniques herein attempt to provide actors with more flexible and satisfactory experiences regarding obtaining tickets for an event. A learning model may identify attributes indicative of whether a particular actor (e.g., attempting to purchase tickets to an event) possesses a desirable characteristic (e.g., is likely to attend the event). Each actor can then be evaluated to estimate whether she is a good actor (possesses the characteristic). If so, favored opportunities may be made available, such as the opportunity to buy high-demand tickets. An actor may further have the opportunity to hold or reserve tickets for a period time, during which other actors cannot purchase them. A fee for holding or reserving tickets (and/or maintaining the hold or reserve) can be dynamically set based on market factors. Opportunities to modify seat assignments to allow a group of friends to sit together may also be provided.

Abstract: An electronic device may include components that emit and detect infrared light. For example, a head-mounted device may have optical modules that present images to a user's left and right eyes. Each optical module may have an infrared light-emitting diode that emits infrared light that illuminates an eye box at an infrared wavelength, and an infrared camera that captures an image from the eye box at the infrared wavelength. A low-reflectance coating may be applied to one or more electronic device housing walls to prevent interference with the infrared components or with the visibility for a user. In particular, the low-reflectance coating may be a low-visible-reflectance-and-low-infrared-reflectance coating that exhibits low-reflectance across both visible and infrared wavelengths. The low-reflectance coating may be formed from carbon nanotubes and at least one organic solvent with zero polarity to ensure a low volatile organic component in the coating.

Abstract: A method for performing a calculation operation to grade and catalog the repeatability of an author's technical or instructional publication or some sub-portion thereof, comprising: a first step of collecting data from a user or users with experience in said publication's replication; a second step of converting the elements of the data to numerical quantities; a third step of calculating a weighting function for that user or users and a weighting function for the author; a fourth step of multiplying elements or subsets of the data by a weighting function that may amplify or diminish the value of the data; a fifth step of aggregating the weighted subsets of data into one or more values; and a sixth step of weighting and averaging the data with historical data, if any.

Abstract: A method for the production of a transparent conductor deposit on a substrate, the method comprising: providing a substrate formed from a first material; depositing a film of a second material on the substrate; causing the film to crack so as to provide a plurality of recesses; depositing a conductive material in the recesses; and removing the film from the substrate so as to yield a transparent conductive deposit on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing carbon nanotubes having specific lengths, said method comprising: producing carbon nanotubes having at least two types of zones along their lengths, wherein each zone type has a characteristic structure that confers specific properties; and processing said carbon nanotubes to selectively attack one zone type more aggressively than another zone type.

Abstract: A method for performing a calculation operation to grade and catalog the repeatability of an author's technical or instructional publication or some sub-portion thereof, comprising: a first step of collecting data from a user or users with experience in said publication's replication; a second step of converting the elements of the data to numerical quantities; a third step of calculating a weighting function for that user or users and a weighting function for the author; a fourth step of multiplying elements or subsets of the data by a weighting function that may amplify or diminish the value of the data; a fifth step of aggregating the weighted subsets of data into one or more values; and a sixth step of weighting and averaging the data with historical data, if any.

Abstract: Painless, non-invasive nanofluidic delivery systems useful for the delivery of therapeutically active agents, GRAS agents, sterile fluids and inert fillers through epithelial membranes are described. The painless, non-invasive delivery system delivers a therapeutic agent via a micro-syringe-based assembly. The painless, non-invasive delivery system may also have a vehicle, which facilitates the absorption of the therapeutic agents by altering its absorption rate at the site of administration. Also disclosed is a method and components of the delivery system to administer therapeutic agents in a consistent, predictable and reproducible manner. Certain compositions may facilitate the delivery of different agents without altering the agents from their current or previous form.

Abstract: Apparatus for subcutaneously delivering a substance to a patient, said apparatus comprising: a carrier comprising a flexible body, wherein said flexible body comprises a reservoir, and further wherein said reservoir contains the substance which is to be delivered to the patient; a nanoneedle assembly comprising: a tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end; a base plate movably mounted intermediate said distal end and said proximal end of said tubular body, said base plate comprising a distal surface and a proximal surface, with a plurality of through-holes extending between said distal surface and said proximal surface of said base plate, said proximal surface of said base plate being in fluid communication with said reservoir; a plurality of nanoneedles, wherein each of said plurality of nanoneedles comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, said proximal end of each of said plurality of nanoneedles being mounted to said base plate such that said lumen of each o

Abstract: A method for the production of a transparent conductor deposit on a substrate, the method comprising: providing a substrate formed from a first material; depositing a film of a second material on the substrate; causing the film to crack so as to provide a plurality of recesses; depositing a conductive material in the recesses; and removing the film from the substrate so as to yield a transparent conductive deposit on the substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing carbon nanotubes having specific lengths, said method comprising: producing carbon nanotubes having at least two types of zones along their lengths, wherein each zone type has a characteristic structure that confers specific properties; and processing said carbon nanotubes to selectively attack one zone type more aggressively than another zone type.

Abstract: A multi-pole switch comprising a conducting substrate; at least three field electrodes mounted above, and electrically isolated from, each other and from said conducting substrate; a conductive cantilever element having a first end portion secured to said conducting substrate, an opposite second free end portion positioned in spaced relation to said field electrodes and operable in response to an electrostatic or electrodynamic charge established between said cantilever element and said field electrodes to deflect in a direction towards said field electrodes; and a plurality of contact electrode poles mounted above, and electrically isolated from, said conducting substrate below the top of said cantilever element second free end portion and above said field electrodes and positioned to contact said cantilever element as said cantilever element is deflected in a direction defined by the net field applied by said field electrodes.

Abstract: A multi-pole switch comprising a conducting substrate; at least three field electrodes mounted above, and electrically isolated from, each other and from said conducting substrate; a conductive cantilever element having a first end portion secured to said conducting substrate, an opposite second free end portion positioned in spaced relation to said field electrodes and operable in response to an electrostatic or electrodynamic charge established between said cantilever element and said field electrodes to deflect in a direction towards said field electrodes; and a plurality of contact electrode poles mounted above, and electrically isolated from, said conducting substrate below the top of said cantilever element second free end portion and above said field electrodes and positioned to contact said cantilever element as said cantilever element is deflected in a direction defined by the net field applied by said field electrodes.

Abstract: A vacuum infusion laminate adhesive that holds the laminate layers together as the catalyzed resin is sucked into a laminate structure. The adhesive includes properties that cross-link with polyester present in the laminate structure as it cures. Generally, the laminate layers include the assembly of polyester or vinyl ester resins that are reinforced with fiberglass.

Abstract: A nanostructured molecular delivery vehicle comprising magnetic materials and configured to receive passenger biomolecules. The application of a an appropriate magnetic field having a gradient orients and drives the vehicle into a biological target, which may comprise cells, cell masses, tissue slices, tissues, etc. Under the control of the magnetic field, these vehicles can penetrate cell membranes. Then, the biomolecules carried by the vehicle can be released into the cells to perform their functions. Using this “nanospearing” technique, unprecendented high transfection efficiency has been achieved in several difficult-to-transfect cells. These include, but are not limited to, Bal 17 cells, ex vivo B cells, primary cultured cortical neurons, etc. This method advances the state of the art, providing an improved technique for the introduction of exogenous molecules to cells, with the clinical applications including, but not being limited to, drug delivery, gene therapy, vaccination, etc.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for varying from a remote location the bore of shoes within a ram-type blow out preventer to sealingly engage pipe of varying diameters. A plurality of shoe pairs is provided, each pair defining a cylindrical surface having a different bore for engagement about pipe of corresponding diameter. Each shoe has pipe faces and a curved packer surface forming a semicircular half-cylinder portion of the cylindrical surface and is releasably and interchangeably interconnectable by a lock pin to either of a pair of rams in the preventer. Method and apparatus are further provided for effecting from a remote location removal of a first shoe pair from the preventer rams and transfer thereof to the location, as well as transfer of a second shoe pair from the location to the preventer and installation therein, thereby remotely varying the shoe bore in the preventer as desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to the replacement of seals in ram type blow out preventers and is especially useful for replacing such seals where the well head is at a considerable distance from the drill head, for example on the sea bed. The method comprises removing a seal from a first blow out preventer ram in situ at the lower end of the well riser, and inserting a replacement shoe of smaller internal diameter itself fitted with a seal within the seal recess of the first ram.There is disclosed a shoe for a ram type blow out preventer comprising a part annular member having a part cylindrical outer surface provided with a ridge for receipt in a recess in a blow out preventer ram, means for indexing and securing the part annular member relative to the blow out preventer ram, and a seal receiving recess in the radially inner surface of the part annular member.

Abstract: This invention relates to the replacement of seals in ram type blow out preventers and is especially useful for replacing such seals where the well head is at a considerable distance from the drill head, for example on the sea bed. The method comprises removing a seal from a first blow out preventer ram in situ at the lower end of the well riser, and inserting a replacement shoe of smaller internal diameter itself fitted with a seal within the seal recess of the first ram.There is disclosed a shoe for a ram type blow out preventer comprising a part annular member having a part cylindrical outer surface provided with a ridge for receipt in a recess in a blow out preventer ram, means for indexing and securing the part annular member relative to the blow out preventer ram, and a seal receiving recess in the radially inner surface of the part annular member.