Abstract: Provided is a catalyst composition comprising (a) a collection of resin beads having sulfonic acid functional groups, (b) a promoter having a thiol group and an amine group, and (c) an antioxidant having the structure (I) wherein each of R1 and R2, and R3 is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group wherein n is 0 to 10, with the proviso that when R3 contains one or more nitrogen atoms, n is not 1 or 2.

Abstract: A game provided to users of a game space may include a task to be performed by the users. A plurality of virtual chance items may be composed. Individual ones of the virtual chance items may be configured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtain virtual awards in the game space. The virtual awards may include one or more primary awards and one or more secondary awards. Composing the virtual chance items may include determining probabilities that the individual virtual chance items will provide a primary award and/or a secondary award upon activation. The virtual chance items may be distributed to the users that complete the task responsive to these users completing the task. The virtual awards may be provided to the users in accordance with the probabilities assigned to the virtual chance items in response to the users activating the virtual chance items.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, kits and methods to treat a hyperproliferative disorder with an agent that increases expression of MCR1 and an MCR1 ligand. The invention also provides a method of treating drug-resistant melanoma, comprising administering an MCR1 ligand to a patient in need thereof. The present invention also provides in certain embodiments a melanoma-targeting conjugate comprising Formula (I): T-L-X wherein T is a MCR1 ligand, L is a linker, and X an anti-cancer composition, for the therapeutic treatment of a hyperproliferative disorder. The present invention also provides methods, kits and uses of the conjugate of Formula (I).

Abstract: Provided is a method of regenerating an acrylic resin (B2), comprising (A) providing a collection of particles of acrylic resin (B2) that has calculated Hansch parameter of ?1.0 to 2.5, wherein one or more humic acid, one or more fulvic acid, or a mixture thereof, is adsorbed onto said acrylic resin (B2), and (B) bringing said collection of particles of acrylic resin (B2) into contact with an aqueous solution (RB) having pH of 10 or higher, to form a mixture B2RB, (C) then separating acrylic resin (B4) from said mixture B2RB.

Abstract: Provided is a method for reacting a resin with sulfuric acid comprising the step of heating a reaction mixture to a temperature of 80° C. or higher, wherein said reaction mixture comprises (a) a collection of copolymer particles (A), (b) sulfuric acid, and (c) a collection of solid particles (B) different from said copolymer particles (A), wherein said solid particles (B) have BET surface area of 50 m2/g to 5,000 m2/g.

Abstract: Provided is vinyl aromatic resin comprising benzyl alcohol groups, benzyl ether groups, and methylene bridge groups, wherein the mole ratio of the benzyl ether groups to the methylene bridge groups is from 0.002:1 to 0.1:1, wherein the vinyl aromatic resin either has no amine groups or else has amine groups in a mole ratio of the sum of all amine groups to aromatic rings of 0.1:1 or lower.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating a vinyl aromatic resin (I) comprising (a) bringing the vinyl aromatic resin (I) into contact with an alcohol, and maintaining the contact between the vinyl aromatic resin (I) and the alcohol for 10 minutes or more, and (b) bringing the vinyl aromatic resin into contact with a base. wherein the vinyl aromatic resin (I), prior to steps (a) and (b), has benzyl chloride groups, benzyl alcohol groups, and methylene bridge groups.

Abstract: An approach to facilitating event-based currency is provided. A first virtual currency usable by users of a game space to purchase in-space benefits may be managed. An event in the game space that is conducted during an event time period may be managed such that, during the event time period, an event virtual currency may be distributed to one or more of the users as a reward for certain operations and/or achievements performed in the game space during the event time period. Exchanges of in-space benefits associated with the event virtual currency may be effectuated for one or more of the users. In some implementations, the event virtual currency may not available to the users after the event time period, while the first virtual currency may be available to the users during and after the event time period.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus may include a support surface configured to conduct air along a top face of the support surface so that heat and moisture from a patient lying on the support surface are drawn away from the top face of the support surface. An opening may be formed in a side of the support surface. A cavity may extend from the opening into the support surface. An inlet port may be positioned within the cavity and fluidly coupled to the top face. A blower assembly may be configured to position within the cavity. The blower assembly may have an outlet port that couples to the inlet port when the blower assembly is positioned within the cavity. The blower assembly may conduct air through the inlet port to the top face of the support surface.

Abstract: An approach to facilitate providing an event space associated with a primary virtual space is provided. An event space is provided to users of a primary virtual space, wherein the event space comprises one or more event objectives. Users of the primary virtual space having primary user accounts have associated event space accounts indicating event user parameters, event game parameters, and event inventory information for the first user. The user may be provided with event virtual items for purchase wherein the event virtual items are used in the event space during the event period. In response to a determination of the progress of the user associated with one or more event objectives an event award is determined for distribution to the user, wherein the event award may be used within the primary virtual space.

Abstract: An approach to facilitating identity-recognition-based promotions using virtual containers is provided. A first virtual container may be associated with a first virtual item set and identified by a first container identifier. Container instances of the first virtual container that are purchased through a store interface during a first time period may be configured to be activated by users in a game space to obtain item instances of virtual items of the first virtual item set. The first virtual container may be modified to be associated with a second virtual item set and identified by the first container identifier. Container instances of the first virtual container that are purchased during a second time period may be container instances of the modified first virtual container that are configured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtain item instances of virtual items of the second virtual item set.

Abstract: An approach to facilitating virtual item promotions via time-period-based virtual item benefits is provided. A store interface may present offers to users of a game space to purchase item instances of virtual items associated with in-space benefits. Item instances of a first virtual item may be configured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtain one or more first in-space benefits. A promotion that is conducted for the game space may be managed such that, during a first promotion time period, item instances of the first virtual item purchased through the store interface may be modified instances of the first virtual item. The modified instances may be configured to be activated by the users in the game space during a second promotion time period to obtain one or more second in-space benefits.

Abstract: Provided is a method of hydrogenation comprising forming a reaction mixture comprising (a) one or more reactant selected from the group consisting of phenol, one or more derivatives of phenol, and mixtures thereof; (b) hydrogen; and (c) catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises beads that comprise one or more acid-functional organic resin and one or more metal selected from the group consisting of palladium, platinum, silver, gold, rhodium, ruthenium, copper, iridium, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An approach to facilitating event-based currency is provided. A first virtual currency usable by users of a game space to purchase in-space benefits may be managed. An event in the game space that is conducted during an event time period may be managed such that, during the event time period, an event virtual currency may be distributed to one or more of the users as a reward for certain operations and/or achievements performed in the game space during the event time period. Exchanges of in-space benefits associated with the event virtual currency may be effectuated for one or more of the users. In some implementations, the event virtual currency may not available to the users after the event time period, while the first virtual currency may be available to the users during and after the event time period.

Abstract: Provided is a method of purifying water comprising (a) providing an aqueous solution (A) that has pH of 5.5 or lower and that comprises (i) one or more dissolved organic compounds in an amount of 5 mg/L or more, measured as dissolved organic carbon, and (ii) 95% or more water by weight based on the weight of the aqueous solution (A), and (b) bringing the aqueous solution (A) into contact with a collection of particles of acrylic resin (B) that has calculated Hansch parameter of ?1.0 to 2.5, and (c) then separating an aqueous solution (C) from the collection of particles of acrylic resin (B).

Abstract: A method of removing colloidal cobalt from an aqueous composition comprising bringing the aqueous composition into contact with a vinyl aromatic resin, wherein the vinyl aromatic resin comprises benzyl alcohol groups, benzyl ether groups, and methylene bridge groups, wherein the vinyl aromatic resin has a chlorine content, by weight based on the weight of resin, of 10,000 ppm or less.

Abstract: A shop interface is presented to users in conjunction with presentation of views of an online game, wherein the shop interface is configured to facilitate presentations to users of offers to sell virtual items usable within the game in exchange for consideration. In response to detecting that the online game is systematically unavailable to users, an alternative virtual shop interface is presented to users that is accessed over the Internet separately from the online game, and offers to sell the virtual times usable within the game are presented to users in exchange for less consideration than the offers to sell the virtual items through the shop interface presented in conjunction with the online game.

Abstract: An approach to facilitate providing an event space associated with a primary virtual space is provided. An event space is provided to users of a primary virtual space, wherein the event space comprises one or more event objectives. Users of the primary virtual space having primary user accounts have associated event space accounts indicating event user parameters, event game parameters, and event inventory information for the first user. The user may be provided with event virtual items for purchase wherein the event virtual items are used in the event space during the event period. In response to a determination of the progress of the user associated with one or more event objectives an event award is determined for distribution to the user, wherein the event award may be used within the primary virtual space.

Abstract: An approach to facilitating identity-recognition-based promotions using virtual containers is provided. A first virtual container may be associated with a first virtual item set and identified by a first container identifier. Container instances of the first virtual container that are purchased through a store interface during a first time period may be configured to be activated by users in a game space to obtain item instances of virtual items of the first virtual item set. The first virtual container may be modified to be associated with a second virtual item set and identified by the first container identifier. Container instances of the first virtual container that are purchased during a second time period may be container instances of the modified first virtual container that are configured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtain item instances of virtual items of the second virtual item set.

Abstract: An approach to facilitating virtual item promotions via time-period-based virtual item benefits is provided. A store interface may present offers to users of a game space to purchase item instances of virtual items associated with in-space benefits. Item instances of a first virtual item may be configured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtain one or more first in-space benefits. A promotion that is conducted for the game space may be managed such that, during a first promotion time period, item instances of the first virtual item purchased through the store interface may be modified instances of the first virtual item. The modified instances may be configured to be activated by the users in the game space during a second promotion time period to obtain one or more second in-space benefits.