Abstract: An access system for spinal surgery through a lateral approach comprises a tissue retractor including a center body supporting a centering guide having an elongate opening defining an alignment axis. A pair of retractor blades are movably supported by the center body one blade each on either side of said the centering guide, each retractor blade having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal ends of each retractor blade being configured for placement adjacent a spinal column of a patient. A plurality of elongate disc anchors is provided, each disc anchor being sized for individual removable receipt through the centering guide opening. Each disc anchor has a length such that the distal end of each disc anchor extends distally beyond the distal ends of the retractor blades when each disc anchor is respectively disposed in the centering guide opening.

Abstract: Implementations described herein are directed to a device with a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to acquire an integrated circuit layout of physical cells from a database and define wirelength relationships between input/output connections and a cell count for the physical cells in multiple domains. The instructions may cause the processor to define wirelength parameters of the integrated circuit layout in each domain of the multiple domains and generate a data file for the integrated circuit layout of the physical cells based on the wirelength relationships and the wirelength parameters to guide power and performance of the integrated circuit layout of the physical cells. The instructions may cause the processor to fabricate, or contribute to the fabrication of, an integrated circuit based on the data file for the integrated circuit layout of the physical cells.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a registration request from an application running on a client system. The registration request includes a messaging token associated with a message-distribution server. In response to the received registration request, the messaging token is registered to a user profile on a social-networking system. A push notification is generated for display at the client system. The push notification and the messaging token are sent to the message-distribution server, where the messaging token identifies the client system to the message-distribution server for delivery of the push notification.

Abstract: Implementations described herein are directed to a device with a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to acquire an integrated circuit layout of physical cells from a database and define wirelength relationships between input/output connections and a cell count for the physical cells in multiple domains. The instructions may cause the processor to define wirelength parameters of the integrated circuit layout in each domain of the multiple domains and generate a data file for the integrated circuit layout of the physical cells based on the wirelength relationships and the wirelength parameters to guide power and performance of the integrated circuit layout of the physical cells. The instructions may cause the processor to fabricate, or contribute to the fabrication of, an integrated circuit based on the data file for the integrated circuit layout of the physical cells.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to articles, devices, and methods for inhibiting or preventing the formation of scale during various industrial processes. In certain embodiments, a vessel is provided for use in an industrial process, the vessel having a textured, liquid-impregnated surface in contact with a mineral solution, wherein the liquid-impregnated surface comprises a matrix of features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain an impregnating liquid lubricant therebetween or therewithin, wherein the impregnating lubricant has a low surface energy density, and wherein the spreading coefficient Sos(w) of the impregnating lubricant (subscript ‘o’) on the substrate (subscript ‘s’) in the presence of the salt solution (subscript ‘w’) is greater than zero, such that the impregnating lubricant fully submerges the textured substrate.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is presented. The lighting apparatus includes a semiconductor light source, a color stable Mn4+ doped phosphor and a quantum dot material, each of the color stable Mn4+ doped phosphor and the quantum dot material being radiationally coupled to the semiconductor light source. A percentage intensity loss of the color stable Mn4+ doped phosphor after exposure to a light flux of at least 20 w/cm2 at a temperature of at least 50 degrees Celsius for at least 21 hours is ?4%. A backlight device including the lighting apparatus is also presented.

Abstract: A process for preparing a Mn+4 doped phosphor of formula I includes gradually adding a first solution comprising a source of M and HF and a second solution comprising a source of Mn to a reactor, in the presence of a source of A and an anion selected from phosphate, sulfate, acetate, and combinations thereof, to form a product liquor comprising the Mn+4 doped phosphor. The process also includes gradually discharging the product liquor from the reactor while volume of the product liquor in the reactor remains constant. A is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof; x is the absolute value of the charge of the [MFy] ion; and y is 5, 6 or 7.

Abstract: A process for preparing a Mn+4 doped phosphor of formula I Ax[MFy]:Mn+4?? I includes gradually adding a first solution to a second solution gradually discharging the product liquor from the reactor while volume of the product liquor in the reactor remains constant; wherein A is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof; x is the absolute value of the charge of the [MFy] ion; y is 5, 6 or 7. The first solution includes a source of M and HF and the second solution includes a source of Mn to a reactor in the presence of a source of A.

Abstract: A process for preparing a Mn+4 doped phosphor of formula I Ax[MFy|:Mn+4??I includes gradually adding a first solution to a second solution and periodically discharging the product liquor from the reactor while volume of the product liquor in the reactor remains constant; wherein A is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof; x is the absolute value of the charge of the [MFy] ion; and y is 5, 6 or 7. The first solution includes a source of M and HF and the second solution includes a source of Mn to a reactor in the presence of a source of A.

Abstract: A process for preparing a Mn+4 doped phosphor of formula I Ax[MFy]:Mn+4?? I includes combining a first solution comprising a source of A and a second solution comprising H2MF6 in the presence of a source of Mn, to form the Mn+4 doped phosphor; wherein A is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof; x is the absolute value of the charge of the [MFy] ion; y is 5, 6 or 7; and wherein a value of a Hammett acidity function of the first solution is at least ?0.9. Particles produced by the process may have a particle size distribution with a D50 particle size of less than 10 ?m.

Abstract: Synthesizing a color stable Mn4+ doped phosphor by contacting a gaseous fluorine-containing oxidizing agent with a precursor of: AaBbCcDdXx:Mn4+; AaiBbiCciDdXxYd:Mn4+; A13G2?m?nMnmMgnLi3F12Op; or AZF4:Mn4+. Where A is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination; B is Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, or a combination; C is Sc, Y, B, Al, Ga, In, Tl, or a combination; D is Ti, Zr, Hf, Rf, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, or a combination; X is F or a combination of F and one of Br, Cl, and I; Y is O, or a combination of O and one of S and Se; A1 is Na or K, or a combination; G is Al, B, Sc, Fe, Cr, Ti, In, or a combination; Z is La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Sc, Y, In, or a combination.

Abstract: A process for preparing a Mn+4 doped phosphor of formula I Ax[MFy]:Mn+4??I includes gradually adding a first solution to a second solution gradually discharging the product liquor from the reactor while volume of the product liquor in the reactor remains constant; wherein A is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof; x is the absolute value of the charge of the [MFy] ion; y is 5, 6 or 7. The first solution includes a source of M and HF and the second solution includes a source of Mn to a reactor in the presence of a source of A.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating coated semiconductor elements are presented. The methods include the steps of combining a phosphor of formula I and a polymer binder to form a composite material, providing a semiconductor wafer including IniGajAlkN, wherein 0?i; 0?j; 0?k, and a sum of i, j and k is equal to 1, coating the composite material on a surface of the semiconductor wafer to form a coated semiconductor wafer, and dicing the coated semiconductor wafer using a cutting fluid apparatus to form one or more coated semiconductor elements. A cutting fluid of the cutting fluid apparatus includes a C1-C20 alcohol, a C1-C20 ketone, a C1-C20 acetate compound, acetic acid, oleic acid, carboxylic acid, a source of A, silicic acid, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating coated semiconductor elements are presented. The methods include the steps of combining a phosphor of formula I and a polymer binder to form a composite material, providing a semiconductor wafer including IniGajAlkN, wherein 0?i; 0?j; 0?k, and a sum of i, j and k is equal to 1, coating the composite material on a surface of the semiconductor wafer to form a coated semiconductor wafer, and dicing the coated semiconductor wafer using a cutting fluid apparatus to form one or more coated semiconductor elements. A cutting fluid of the cutting fluid apparatus includes a C1-C20 alcohol, a C1-C20 ketone, a C1-C20 acetate compound, acetic acid, oleic acid, carboxylic acid, a source of A, silicic acid, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising a liquid-impregnated surface, said surface comprising an impregnating liquid and a matrix of solid features spaced sufficiently close to stably contain the impregnating liquid therebetween or therewithin, and methods thereof. In some embodiments, one or both of the following holds: (i) 0<??0.25, where ? is a representative fraction of the projected surface area of the liquid-impregnated surface corresponding to non-submerged solid at equilibrium; and (ii) Sow(a)<0, where Sow(a) is spreading coefficient, defined as ?wa??wo??oa, where ? is the interfacial tension between the two phases designated by subscripts w, a, and o, where w is water, a is air, and o is the impregnating liquid.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the disclosure provide a promotional messaging system for efficiently providing promotional messages to customers via an electronic messaging system. For example, in one or more embodiments, the promotional messaging system identifies users of the electronic messaging system that have previously communicated with a merchant as part of a customized audience. Additionally, in some embodiments, the promotional messaging system analyzes activity patterns of the users to provide improved delivery of promotional messages in a non-intrusive, private, and timely manner. Overall, the promotional messaging system described herein improves communications via an electronic messaging system between users and a merchant.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the disclosure provide a promotional messaging system for efficiently providing promotional messages to customers via an electronic messaging system. For example, in one or more embodiments, the promotional messaging system identifies users of the electronic messaging system that have previously communicated with a merchant as part of a customized audience. Additionally, in some embodiments, the promotional messaging system analyzes activity patterns of the users to provide improved delivery of promotional messages in a non-intrusive, private, and timely manner. Overall, the promotional messaging system described herein improves communications via an electronic messaging system between users and a merchant.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the disclosure provide a promotional messaging system for efficiently providing promotional messages to customers via an electronic messaging system. For example, in one or more embodiments, the promotional messaging system identifies users of the electronic messaging system that have previously communicated with a merchant as part of a customized audience. Additionally, in some embodiments, the promotional messaging system analyzes activity patterns of the users to provide improved delivery of promotional messages in a non-intrusive, private, and timely manner. Overall, the promotional messaging system described herein improves communications via an electronic messaging system between users and a merchant.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the disclosure provide a promotional messaging system for efficiently providing promotional messages to customers via an electronic messaging system. For example, in one or more embodiments, the promotional messaging system identifies users of the electronic messaging system that have previously communicated with a merchant as part of a customized audience. Additionally, in some embodiments, the promotional messaging system analyzes activity patterns of the users to provide improved delivery of promotional messages in a non-intrusive, private, and timely manner. Overall, the promotional messaging system described herein improves communications via an electronic messaging system between users and a merchant.