Abstract: A razor blade including: a substrate having a tip portion including a tip region, a blade body including a base, and first and second outer sides disposed opposite a split line of the substrate, in which the first and second outer sides converge at a tip, the first outer side comprises a first coating disposed substantially thereon and extending from the tip region toward the base, and a first portion of the second outer side is substantially free of any coating, the first portion extending from the tip region toward the base or being spaced apart from the tip region and the base. Also provided is a method of coating the razor blade.

Abstract: A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include gas concentration sensors, and methods of using such gas concentration sensors. In an embodiment, a gas concentration sensor comprises a first electrode. In an embodiment the first electrode comprises first fingers. In an embodiment, the gas concentration sensor further comprises a second electrode. In an embodiment, the second electrode comprises second fingers that are interdigitated with the first fingers.

Abstract: A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to the use of black liquors from kraft pulp mills as a source of catalysts for the thermochemical conversion of organic matter feedstocks to bio oils.

Abstract: A method of pumping an oilfield fluid from a well surface to a wellbore is provided that includes providing a clean stream; operating one or more clean pumps to pump the clean stream from the well surface to the wellbore; providing a dirty stream including a solid material disposed in a fluid carrier; and operating one or more dirty pumps to pump the dirty stream from the well surface to the wellbore, wherein the clean stream and the dirty stream together form said oilfield fluid.

Abstract: Compounds, methods of use, and processes for making inhibitors of complement Factor D are provided comprising Formula I, I? and I?? or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or composition thereof. The inhibitors described herein target Factor D and inhibit or regulate the complement cascade. The inhibitors of Factor D described herein reduces the excessive activation of complement.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for treating a subject afflicted with a tumor derived from a small cell lung cancer (SCLC) having a high tumor mutational burden (TMB) status comprising administering to the subject a monotherapy comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody or a combination therapy comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody and an anti-CTLA-4 antibody. The present disclosure also provides a method for identifying a subject suitable for treatment with an anti-PD-1 antibody or a combination therapy comprising an anti-PD-1 antibody and an anti-CTLA-4 antibody comprising measuring a TMB status of a biological sample of the subject. A high TMB status identifies the patient as suitable for treatment with an anti-PD-1 antibody or antigen-binding portion thereof. The TMB status can be determined by sequencing nucleic acids in the tumor and identifying a genomic alteration, e.g., a somatic nonsynonymous mutation, in the sequenced nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for event-based communication and messaging that includes determining general event data associated with an event, determining user data associated with a user based on determining the event data associated with the event, determining pre-event data associated with the event, current event data associated with the event, or post-event data associated with the event based on the general event data associated with the event and the user data associated with the user, determining a current user location of the at least one user, generating at least one message based on the current user location, the at least one message including at least one of the following: pre-event data; current event data; post-event data; or any combination thereof; and communicating the at least one message to a user device of the user. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide various nanogap sensor designs (e.g., horizontal nanogap sensors, vertical nanogap sensors, arrays of multiple nanogap sensors, various arrangements for making electrical connections to the electrodes of nanogap sensors, etc.), as well as various methods which may be used to fabricate at least some of the proposed sensors. The nanogap sensors proposed herein may operate as molecular sensors to help identify chemical species through electrical measurements using at least a pair of electrodes separated by a nanogap.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide various nanogap sensor designs (e.g., horizontal nanogap sensors, vertical nanogap sensors, arrays of multiple nanogap sensors, various arrangements for making electrical connections to the electrodes of nanogap sensors, etc.), as well as various methods which may be used to fabricate at least some of the proposed sensors. The nanogap sensors proposed herein may operate as molecular sensors to help identify chemical species through electrical measurements using at least a pair of electrodes separated by a nanogap.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for event-based communication and messaging that includes determining general event data associated with an event, determining user data associated with a user based on determining the event data associated with the event, determining pre-event data associated with the event, current event data associated with the event, or post-event data associated with the event based on the general event data associated with the event and the user data associated with the user, determining a current user location of the at least one user, generating at least one message based on the current user location, the at least one message including at least one of the following: pre-event data; current event data; post-event data; or any combination thereof; and communicating the at least one message to a user device of the user. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for event-based communication and messaging that includes determining general event data associated with an event, determining user data associated with a user based on determining the event data associated with the event, determining pre-event data associated with the event, current event data associated with the event, or post-event data associated with the event based on the general event data associated with the event and the user data associated with the user, determining a current user location of the at least one user, generating at least one message based on the current user location, the at least one message including at least one of the following: pre-event data; current event data; post-event data; or any combination thereof; and communicating the at least one message to a user device of the user. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor is provided which may be formed using micromachining techniques commonly used in the manufacture of integrated circuits. This is achieved by forming microcapillaries in a silicon substrate and forming an opening in an insulating layer to allow environmental gases to reach through to the top side of the substrate. A porous electrode is printed on the top side of the insulating layer such that the electrode is formed in the opening in the insulating layer. The sensor also comprises at least one additional electrode. The electrolyte is then formed on top of the electrodes. A cap is formed over the electrodes and electrolyte. This arrangement may easily be produced using micromachining techniques.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microfabricated thermal platform. The platform is formed over a substrate, which may for example be a silicon wafer, and which may form part of the platform. The substrate is coated in a thermally-insulating material, which may be an organic polymer such, as polyimide or SU8. The thermally-insulating material may have a predetermined thermal conductivity, which is dependent on thickness, geometry and processing. The surface of the thermally-insulating material may include an arrangement of thermal sites, with each site having a reaction plate (or thermal plate) over which chemical reactions may occur. A heating element may be positioned beneath each reaction plate. The thermal platform may have a plurality of such thermal sites arranged over the upper surface of the thermally-insulating material. However, it will be appreciated that in practice, there could be a single thermal site.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor is provided which may be formed using micromachining techniques commonly used in the manufacture of integrated circuits. This is achieved by forming microcapillaries in a silicon substrate and forming an opening in an insulating layer to allow environmental gases to reach through to the top side of the substrate. A porous electrode is printed on the top side of the insulating layer such that the electrode is formed in the opening in the insulating layer. The sensor also comprises at least one additional electrode. The electrolyte is then formed on top of the electrodes. A cap is formed over the electrodes and electrolyte. This arrangement may easily be produced using micromachining techniques.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for event-based communication and messaging that includes determining general event data associated with an event, determining user data associated with a user based on determining the event data associated with the event, determining pre-event data associated with the event, current event data associated with the event, or post-event data associated with the event based on the general event data associated with the event and the user data associated with the user, determining a current user location of the at least one user, generating at least one message based on the current user location, the at least one message including at least one of the following: pre-event data; current event data; post-event data; or any combination thereof; and communicating the at least one message to a user device of the user. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a computer-implemented method for event-based communication and messaging that includes determining general event data associated with an event, determining user data associated with a user based on determining the event data associated with the event, determining pre-event data associated with the event, current event data associated with the event, or post-event data associated with the event based on the general event data associated with the event and the user data associated with the user, determining a current user location of the at least one user, generating at least one message based on the current user location, the at least one message including at least one of the following: pre-event data; current event data; post-event data; or any combination thereof; and communicating the at least one message to a user device of the user. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating a spine includes the steps of: creating a surgical pathway in a body along a first surgical approach to a surgical site including vertebral tissue; creating a surgical pathway in the body along a second surgical approach to the surgical site including the vertebral tissue; disposing a fulcrum with an intervertebral disc space of the vertebral tissue via the first surgical approach; and manipulating the vertebral tissue via the second surgical approach. Spinal implants, surgical instruments and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide various nanogap sensor designs (e.g., horizontal nanogap sensors, vertical nanogap sensors, arrays of multiple nanogap sensors, various arrangements for making electrical connections to the electrodes of nanogap sensors, etc.), as well as various methods which may be used to fabricate at least some of the proposed sensors. The nanogap sensors proposed herein may operate as molecular sensors to help identify chemical species through electrical measurements using at least a pair of electrodes separated by a nanogap.