Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting funds from a player and correspondingly establishing player game credits. A game and a progress indicator may be provided, with the game comprising a plurality of enabled in-game assets and at least one previously unavailable in-game asset. Each of the plurality of enabled in-game assets may be configured to generate a wagering opportunity when interacted with by the player. Game play may be enabled by receiving at least one player interaction, via a user interface of the regulated gaming machine, with at least some of the enabled plurality of in-game assets. For each generated wagering opportunity, it may be determined determining whether the received player interaction(s) resulted in a successful or an unsuccessful interaction with the enabled in-game asset with which the player interacted.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting, in the regulated gaming machine, funds from a player and enabling the player to play a wager-based game that comprises a plurality of game levels. A plurality of payout schedules may be provided, each of which defining a respectively different Return to Player (RTP) percentage. The performance of the player during each of the plurality of game levels may be monitored and, during each of the plurality of game levels, a number of performance indicia may be awarded and displayed, depending upon the monitored player performance, such that a higher player performance is awarded a greater number of performance indicia than is a comparatively lower player performance. When game play has reached an end of a current level of the plurality of game levels, a bonus reward may be awarded, a value of the bonus reward being determined using a selected one of the plurality of payout schedules.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting, in the regulated gaming machine, funds from a player and enabling the player to play a multi-level wager-based game, the game comprising a plurality of wagering opportunities, a successful player interaction with each of which generates a wager. A current return to player (RTP) percentage may then be established for wagers placed. Game play may be enabled at a current level of the game and player input may be received from a user interface to cause player interactions with the wagering opportunities. For at least some of the wagering opportunities with which the player interacted, a wager may be placed at the current RTP and a predetermined number of points associated with the wagering opportunity may be collected.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting, in the regulated gaming machine, funds from a player and enabling the player to play a wager-based game having a plurality of stages and enabling, for a game session, game play and wagers at a current stage of the game. A determination may then be made whether game play has reached a stage complete state in which all requirements necessary for transitioning game play to a next or another stage of the plurality of stages, as may be a determination whether this is a first time, during the game session, that the game play has reached the stage complete state for the current stage. An incentive may be offered to the player to transition game play to the next or another stage when game play has reached the stage complete state for the first time and not offering the player the incentive otherwise.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method may comprise providing a wager-based electronic gaming device (EGD) comprising at least one processor, memory, a display, an input interface and a money acceptor. The EGD may be configured to accept money from a player via the money acceptor and establish an account balance using the received money; display a game environment configured to enable the player to participate, via the input interface, in a gaming session of a wager-based game comprising a plurality of stages, and enable, for the gaming session, game play and wagers in a current stage of the plurality of stages of the wager-based game. It may then be determined that game play in the current stage has reached a current stage complete state in which all requirements necessary for transitioning game play from the current stage to a next or other stage of the plurality of stages have been met.

Abstract: This invention relates to heterogeneous catalysts useful for selective hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons, comprising palladium and optionally a promoter, supported on a substrate, having an uncoated BET surface area of ?9 m2/g, the surface being coated with an ionic liquid. Also described are methods of making the catalysts and methods of selective hydrogenation of acetylene and/or dienes in front-end mixed olefin feed streams.

Abstract: This invention relates to heterogeneous catalysts useful for selective hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons, comprising palladium and optionally a promoter, supported on a substrate, having an uncoated BET surface area of ?9 m2/g, the surface being coated with an ionic liquid. Also described are methods of making the catalysts and methods of selective hydrogenation of acetylene and/or dienes in front-end mixed olefin feed streams.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting funds from the player and correspondingly establishing player game credits. A game may be provided, comprising a plurality of in-game assets, each of which being configured to generate a wagering opportunity when interacted with by the player. One or more player interactions may be received with at least some of the plurality of in-game assets. For each generated wagering opportunity, the method may determine whether the received player interaction(s) resulted in successful or unsuccessful interaction(s) with the in-game asset with which the player interacted and, for each successful interaction, a wagering event may be generated, each of which requiring at least a predetermined amount of time for the gaming machine to process.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting funds, in the regulated gaming machine, from a player and correspondingly establishing player game credits. A game may be provided that comprises a plurality of in-game assets, each of which being configured to generate a wagering opportunity when interacted with by the player. One or more player interactions may be received, with at least one the plurality of in-game assets. For each generated wagering opportunity, it may be determined whether the received player interaction(s) resulted in a successful or an unsuccessful interaction with the in-game asset. For each successful interaction, a time elapsed until successful interaction and a wagering event may be generated. For one or more of the generated wagering events, the determined time elapsed until successful interaction may be used to select one of a plurality of payout schedules, each of which being associated with a different return to player (RTP) percentage.

Abstract: A method of determining rewards due to a player playing a regulated gaming machine may include configuring player interaction with a plurality of games assets to give rise to first Wagering Opportunities and a selectively available second Wagering Opportunity. The game may be further configured to have an overall minimum return to player (RTP) and an overall maximum RTP. Using the accepted funds and a first payout schedule that defines a first RTP that is at least as great as the minimum overall RTP, it may be determined whether and how much to reward the player whenever the player interacts with the first Wagering Opportunities to generate first Wagering Events. For at least some of the first Wagering Events generated, a portion of a reward due to the player may be virtually contributed to a bounty.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a supported catalyst, a catalyst which is obtainable using the method, and use thereof for the partial oxidation or ammoxidation of olefins, in particular for the oxidation of propene to acrolein, of isobutene to methacrolein, and/or the ammoxidation of propene to acrylonitrile. The method according to the invention includes the following steps: a) providing a solution in which precursor compounds of the catalytically active component are essentially completely dissolved in a suitable solvent; b) bringing the solution obtained in step a) into contact with a (chemically) inert, porous support having a specific surface of 1 to 500 m2/g; c) heat treatment of the material obtained in step b), in which the precursor compounds of the catalytically active component are converted to their oxides.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion, such as alkylation, using vaporization to remove reaction heat from an ionic liquid reactor and to provide mixing therein, wherein hydrocarbon vapors are withdrawn from the ionic liquid reactor and the withdrawn hydrocarbon vapor is recovered by a hydrocarbon vapor recovery unit in fluid communication with the ionic liquid reactor for recycling condensed hydrocarbons to the ionic liquid reactor. Processes for ionic liquid catalyzed alkylation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method is provided for modifying a layout of one or more standard cells defining a circuit component, the layout providing a layout pattern for a process technology. The method comprises receiving, after completion of one or more initial place and route operations, an input data file that includes the layout pattern of the layout. The layout includes the one or more standard cells and placement and routing information generated by the one or more initial place and route operations. The method further comprises identifying one or more metal portions associated with one or more rails of the one or more standard cells of the layout. A metal fill operation is then performed using the input data file in order to generate a modified input data file. The metal fill operation includes modifying the one or more metal portions with one or more metal fill patterns to form a reduced resistive path associated with the one or more metal portions.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method is provided for modifying a layout of one or more standard cells defining a circuit component, the layout providing a layout pattern for a process technology. The method comprises receiving, after completion of one or more initial place and route operations, an input data file that includes the layout pattern of the layout. The layout includes the one or more standard cells and placement and routing information generated by the one or more initial place and route operations. The method further comprises identifying one or more metal portions associated with one or more rails of the one or more standard cells of the layout. A metal fill operation is then performed using the input data file in order to generate a modified input data file. The metal fill operation includes modifying the one or more metal portions with one or more metal fill patterns to form a reduced resistive path associated with the one or more metal portions.

Abstract: A method for forming lithium metal oxides comprised of Ni, Mn and Co useful for making lithium ion batteries comprises providing precursor particulates of Ni and Co that are of a particular size that allows the formation of improved lithium metal oxides. The method allows the formation of lithium metal oxides having improved safety while retaining good capacity and rate capability. In particular, the method allows for the formation of lithium metal oxide where the primary particle surface Mn/Ni ratio is greater than the bulk Mn/Ni. Likewise the method allows the formation of lithium metal oxides with secondary particles having much higher densities allowing for higher cathode densities and battery capacities while retaining good capacity and rate performance.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion, such as alkylation, using vaporization to remove reaction heat from an ionic liquid reactor and to provide mixing therein, wherein hydrocarbon vapors are withdrawn from the ionic liquid reactor and the withdrawn hydrocarbon vapor is recovered by a hydrocarbon vapor recovery unit in fluid communication with the ionic liquid reactor for recycling condensed hydrocarbons to the ionic liquid reactor. Processes for ionic liquid catalyzed alkylation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion, such as alkylation, using vaporization to remove reaction heat from an ionic liquid reactor and to provide mixing therein, wherein hydrocarbon vapors are withdrawn from the ionic liquid reactor and the withdrawn hydrocarbon vapor is recovered by a hydrocarbon vapor recovery unit in fluid communication with the ionic liquid reactor for recycling condensed hydrocarbons to the ionic liquid reactor. Processes for ionic liquid catalyzed alkylation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for ionic liquid catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion, such as alkylation, using vaporization to remove reaction heat from an ionic liquid reactor and to provide mixing therein, wherein hydrocarbon vapors are withdrawn from the ionic liquid reactor and the withdrawn hydrocarbon vapor is recovered by a hydrocarbon vapor recovery unit in fluid communication with the ionic liquid reactor for recycling condensed hydrocarbons to the ionic liquid reactor. Processes for ionic liquid catalyzed alkylation are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a supported catalyst, a catalyst which is obtainable using the method, and use thereof for the partial oxidation or ammoxidation of olefins, in particular for the oxidation of propene to acrolein, of isobutene to methacrolein, and/or the ammoxidation of propene to acrylonitrile. The method according to the invention includes the following steps: a) providing a solution in which precursor compounds of the catalytically active component are essentially completely dissolved in a suitable solvent; b) bringing the solution obtained in step a) into contact with a (chemically) inert, porous support having a specific surface of 1 to 500 m2/g; c) heat treatment of the material obtained in step b), in which the precursor compounds of the catalytically active component are converted to their oxides.