Abstract: A method of playing a card game adds a “showdown” aspect to a conventional game such as Texas Hold 'Em or the like. Generally, a round of the conventional game is played out in the usual fashion. Then, the winning hand from this play is pitted against a specially dealt showdown hand. A jackpot is awarded to the player holding the winning hand if the showdown hand beats the winning hand based on a pre-established ranking of hands.

Abstract: A vehicle for transporting a ride-on trowel includes a vehicle frame forming a bay sized to receive the ride-on trowel and a system for supporting the ride-on trowel from the vehicle frame. The vehicle frame includes a lower frame that surrounds the bay on three sides. The lower frame has an open rear end and a tapered front end and is configured to closely match the shape of the ride-on trowel outer frame.

Abstract: A composite article includes a matrix having first and second opposing surfaces defining a transverse dimension and a filler material embedded in the matrix. The filler material presents a density gradient in the transverse dimension wherein a minimum filler density is at the first surface. In one embodiment, the composite article is a non-laminated article defining first and second regions wherein the first region encompasses the first surface. The first region has a filler-to-matrix ratio that varies along the transverse dimension, the filler-to-matrix ratio being at a minimum at the first surface. The first region can include one or more additives. A method for forming a composite article includes injecting first and second compositions into a die head at different points so as to produce a partially mixed composition that is discharged from the die head. The second composition contains less filler material than the first composition.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite article includes injecting first and second compositions into a die head at different points so as to produce a partially mixed composition that is discharged from the die head. The second composition contains less filler material than the first composition.

Abstract: A system for treating feedwater includes a fluidized bed heat exchanger unit connected to receive feedwater and a flash concentrator column connected to receive feedwater discharged from the fluidized bed heat exchanger unit. A spray dryer is provided to receive a solids/liquid slurry discharged from the flash concentrator column. Feedwater can be treated by converting dissolved solids in the feedwater to suspended solids, vaporizing a portion of the feedwater to produce a solids/liquid slurry, and separating solids from the solids/liquid slurry.

Abstract: The invention provides novel oligonucleotide-based compounds that individually provide distinct immune response profiles through their interactions as agonists with TLR9. The TLR9 agonists according to the invention are characterized by specific and unique chemical modifications, which provide their distinctive immune response activation profiles.

Abstract: The invention relates to the therapeutic use of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides and/or immunomers in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to provide a synergistic therapeutic effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to the therapeutic use of oligonucleotides or oligonucleotide analogs as immunostimulatory agents in immunotherapy applications. The invention provides methods for enhancing the immune response caused by immunostimulatory oligonucleotide compounds.

Abstract: A method and system for using a mobile computing device to wirelessly print data includes establishing a first wireless link with a printer system and establishing a second wireless link with a central computer system. User account data is transmitted to the central computer system via the second wireless link for verification. Upon verification, a mobile print package is generated and transmitted to the printer system via the first wireless link for printing. Depending on the level of service selected by the user, advertisement content can be included in the mobile print package.

Abstract: The invention provides a palindromic immune modulatory nucleic acid. The invention also provides methods for generating, enhancing and modifying the immune response caused by palindromic immune modulatory compounds used for immunotherapy applications.

Abstract: A spinal fixation system having a modular construction to allow universal application to varying spine anatomy and load requirements of individual vertebral attachment members, while reducing requirements for large inventories to optimize spinal fixation. Modularity allows the individual attachment members, once attached optimally to bone, to be attached to a variety of interconnecting structural members optimized for load carrying capacity.

Abstract: An artificial tear film over the surface of an eye having a first layer in direct contact with the ocular surface, an aqueous layer over the first layer, and a layer of a phospholipid over the aqueous layer. The first layer has polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone. The phospholipid is derived from Amisol® Clear. The artificial tear film is effective in significantly prolonging the tear break up time in patients with dry eye syndrome.

Abstract: The invention provides optimized methods and compositions for enhancing the immune response caused by immunostimulatory compounds used for the treatment of disease such as, but not limited to, treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders, asthma, respiratory allergies, food allergies and infectious diseases in a patient. The optimized methods according to the invention provide synergy between the therapeutic effects of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides and immunomer compounds in accordance with the invention, and the therapeutic effect of cytokine immunotherapy and/or chemotherapeutic agents and/or radiation.

Abstract: The invention provides new methods for modulating specific CMI-inducing cytokines in vivo. Such new methods result in stimulation of the cytokines IL-6, IL-12 MIP-1? and MCP without substantially inducing undesired cytokines. The methods according to the invention are based upon administration of oligonucleotides containing particular structural motifs which lead to specific cytokine induction.

Abstract: A biodegradable container includes a body structure made of a foamed hydrocolloid gelling matrix system having a fibrous material and a firming agent embedded therein and a water-resistant coating disposed on a surface of the body structure.

Abstract: A stabilizer includes a base and a shaft rotatively mounted to the base. An arm attached to the shaft is able to swing about the axis of rotation defined by the shaft in response to centrifugal force. In one possible application, the stabilizer can be incorporated into a vehicle. The vehicle includes a first frame and a second frame pivotally connected to the first frame, wherein the frames pivot with respect to one another about an axis of rotation. The second frame includes an outwardly extending support arm having a seat mounted thereon. The arm swings in response to centrifugal force so as to laterally displace the seat relative to the first frame. In one aspect, the seat is located below the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Biodegradable compositions that include a foamed gelling hydrocolloid system to which a firming agent and a fibrous material, with or without other optional components, are added. When articles prepared from such compositions are coated with a suitable coating, they are impervious to boiling water and able to withstand microwave heating.

Abstract: Efficiency and/or power are increased in a turbine engine by using a self-contained, passive heat transfer device, such as a heat pipe, to transfer heat from working fluid in one section of the engine to working fluid in another section of the engine.

Abstract: A method for transforming spatial data includes displaying a first graphical representation that represents spatial data formatted in a first coordinate system and displaying a second graphical representation that represents spatial data formatted in a second coordinate system. The data represented by the first graphical representation is transformed into the second coordinate system in response to the first graphical representation being dragged and dropped onto the second graphical representation. In another aspect, a computer-readable medium contains instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method of transforming spatial data.