Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to determining prices for a protection extension in an online game. The protection extension may be implemented, for example, after a user's beginning protection and/or any other in-game protection period has ceased. The protection extension may be dynamically priced for individual users. The protection extension may be priced, for example, based on the user's power and/or strength in a game, and/or based on other factors. For example, the stronger the user is in the game, the more expensive the extension of protection, and the weaker the user is in the game, the cheaper the extension of protection. This may provide an opportunity for a less experienced player to build up their strength in a game, thus promoting further player engagement. Individualizing the price of protection extensions may provide other enhancements.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 70% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 4 and an isolated polynucleotide encoding same are disclosed. A polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence capable of specifically hybridizing to the isolated polynucleotide and an isolated antibody comprising an antigen recognition domain which specifically binds the isolated polypeptide are also disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions, methods of diagnosing and treating comprising same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for providing information relating to damage incurred by a vehicle in an accident. A first plurality of markers with a first set of identifiers is embedded in a coating applied to a component of a first vehicle and a second plurality of markers with a second set of identifiers is embedded in a coating applied to a component of a second vehicle. Markers from the first vehicle are transferred to the second vehicle upon impact during an accident. The transferred markers are read by a marker reader and then processed to determine the identity of the first vehicle.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for scoring content of a spoken response to a prompt. A scoring model is generated for a prompt, where generating the scoring model includes generating a transcript for each of a plurality of training responses to the prompt, dividing the plurality of training responses into clusters based on the transcripts of the training responses, selecting a subset of the training responses in each cluster for scoring, scoring the selected subset of training responses for each cluster, and generating content training vectors using the transcripts from the scored subset. A transcript is generated for a received spoken response to be scored, and a similarity metric is computed between the transcript of the spoken response to be scored and the content training vectors. A score is assigned to the spoken response based on the determined similarity metric.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vaccine comprising an immunogenic composition comprising a complex of AMA1 and RON2 (or a fragment thereof), which elicits an immune response to a Plasmodium species in a subject upon administration. The resulting immune response is sufficient to impede or prevent infection by a Plasmodium species.

Abstract: A robotic snake comprising a plurality of friction anchors, a plurality of segments and a plurality of servo motors are disclosed. Each of the plurality of segments includes a first link and a second link connected at a first joint, a third link connected to the first link at a second joint, a fourth link connected to the second link at a third joint, a fifth link connected to the third link at a fourth joint. The simultaneous rotation of third link and fourth link of each of the plurality of segments results in a translational movement and/or a rotational movement. A plurality of servo motors is configured to rotate plurality of joints. The fifth link of one segment and first link of next segment of the each of the plurality of segments act as a quaternary link serially connects each of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: A spacer fluid comprising: (a) water; and (b) an alkyl polyglycoside derivative, wherein the alkyl polyglycoside derivative is selected from the group consisting of sorbitan fatty acids; functionalized sulfonates, functionalized betaines, an inorganic salt of any of the foregoing, and any combination of any of the foregoing. Preferably, the spacer fluid additionally comprises a solid particulate, such as a weighting agent. A method of displacing an oil-based drilling mud from a portion of a well comprising the steps of: (A) forming the spacer fluid; and (B) introducing the spacer fluid into the well.

Abstract: Methods comprising providing a sealant composition comprising an aqueous base fluid and a crosslinkable polymer composition, wherein the crosslinkable polymer composition comprises a crosslinkable organic polymer and a crosslinker; introducing an elastic gellable composition into the sealant composition, wherein the elastic gellable composition is an aqueous emulsion comprising an aqueous continuous phase and a dispersed phase comprising elastomeric polymers; introducing the sealant composition into a subterranean formation; and crosslinking the sealant composition into a gel to form a seal in the subterranean formation, thereby forming an elastic gelled sealant composition, wherein the elastic gellable composition reduces the brittleness of the elastic gelled sealant composition as compared to the sealant composition without the elastic gellable composition.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes making a payment transaction between a customer and a merchant using a payment card of the customer including: transmitting details of the payment transaction from a mobile device to a remote server; capturing at least one image of the payment card using the mobile device of the merchant; transmitting the at least one image of the payment card to the remote server; identifying, by the remote server, the merchant and the payment card captured in the at least one image; and implementing the payment transaction between bank accounts of the customer and the merchant.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting vehicles includes a runway, a base, an actuation assembly, a first armature assembly, a second armature assembly, and a third armature assembly. The runway is designed to vertically lift a vehicle from a lowered position to a raised position. The runway is connected to the third armature assembly. In turn, the third armature assembly is connected to the actuation assembly, which is pivotally fixed to the base. The first and second armature assemblies also connect the base with the third armature assembly. The actuation assembly is configured to lift the third armature assembly, which is guided by both the first armature assembly and second armature assembly. In response to the actuation assembly, the third armature assembly then forces the runway from the lowered position to the raised position, thereby lifting the vehicle.

Abstract: A flow splitter distributes solid particles flowing in a fluid, such as coal particles flowing in air, through a piping system. The flow splitter includes a divider housing having an inlet configured to connect to an upstream pipe and having an outlet configured to connect to a plurality of downstream pipes, e.g., by way of a divider head. A divider body is mounted within the divider housing. A plurality of divider vanes is included, each extending from the divider body to the divider housing. The divider housing, divider body, and divider vanes are configured and adapted to reduce non-uniformity in particle concentration from the inlet and to supply a substantially equal particle flow from the outlet to each of the downstream pipes.

Abstract: A system and method for providing currency multiplier items to one or more users of an online game is described. A user of an online game may obtain a currency multiplier item by purchase, by award, responsive to one or more actions taken in the online game, and/or by other methods. Use of the currency multiplier item may enable the user to adjust the amount of virtual currency in the inventory in the user's user account, wherein the adjustment to the amount of currency is not provided to the first user prior to use of the currency multiplier item.

Abstract: Methods for selecting a receiver line orientation for a seismic data acquisition array and methods for performing a seismic survey using the selected receiver line orientation are provided herein. A method of selecting a 3D seismic data acquisition array comprising: selecting a survey area, determining the location of a plurality of source lines in the survey area, pre-planning a plurality of receiver line grids with differing orientations, assigning a cell grid to each receiver line grid, generating a fold level for each cell in each receiver line grid, determining a fold variation for each receiver line grid, and selecting a receiver line grid from the plurality of receiver line grids with the lowest fold variation.

Abstract: A method and system for integrating data across different systems is disclosed. Data in a plurality of databases are integrated by identifying the common data elements with equivalent semantics and selecting a preferred syntax for the data. A new record including the common data elements and data with preferred syntax is made available to users.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore within a subterranean formation comprising providing a first wellbore tubular positioned within a second wellbore tubular creating a tubular flowpath and an annular flowpath, wherein the tubular flowpath and the annular flowpath converge in a mixing zone within the wellbore, placing an annular fluid through the annular flowpath, placing a tubular fluid through the tubular flowpath, and contacting the annular fluid and the tubular fluid in the mixing zone to form a composite fluid, wherein the composite fluid comprises a base fluid component, a proppant component, a crosslinkable polymer component, a crosslinking agent component, and an optional buffering agent component and wherein the components of the composite fluid are apportioned between the annular fluid and the tubular fluid such that reaction of the components to form the composite fluid is inhibited until the components of the composite fluid mix within the mixing zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of cementing. The method comprises providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, a set retarder, and a micro-electrical-mechanical system; and allowing the set-delayed cement composition to set.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating a user includes providing an invocation element capable of being activated by a single user action, receiving an indication that the invocation element has been activated, obtaining a location of a wireless device associated with the user, determining whether the wireless device is associated with an authorized user, approving the user to use the application based on a predetermined location criterion, and producing an indication that the user has been authenticated.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fleet management computer system configured for providing a fleet management user interface. According to various embodiments, the fleet management computer system is configured for assessing operational data to determine a vehicle travel path and one or more operational characteristics indicated by the operational data. In addition, according to various embodiments, the fleet management computer system is configured for generating a graphical user interface that includes an evaluation results display showing the operational characteristics and a geographical map showing the vehicle travel path.

Abstract: An example power converter system may include a non-synchronous buck converter and a controller coupled to the a non-synchronous buck converter to receive a voltage level provided by a power source to the non-synchronous buck converter. The controller may also determine a minimum set point value for the non-synchronous buck converter based, at least in part, on the received voltage level. The controller may also alter a set point of the non-synchronous buck converter if the determined minimum set point value is less than a target set point value of the non-synchronous buck converter.

Abstract: System and method for providing cross-game virtual containers in online games are disclosed. Virtual items usable in multiple online games may be packaged in a cross-game virtual container. Instances of cross-game virtual container may be presented for purchase by user in a virtual store. The price of a given instance of cross-game virtual container may be set as a fraction of the total of the individual prices of the virtual items in the given instance of cross-game virtual container. After an activation of a purchased instance of cross-game virtual container by a user in one of the online games, virtual items in the purchased instance of cross-game virtual container may be made available for access to the user in respective online games. In some examples, a notification may be generated for informing the user of the availability of the virtual items in the activated instance of cross-game virtual container.