Abstract: An integrated online gaming portal offers entertainment-related casual games and/or user-generated media. The integrated online gaming portal offers a variety of features, including media-based casual games, casual games featuring user-generated content, and a media-based horoscope. Media is received from a variety of sources, including TV and movie studios, actors/actresses, sponsors, and the user him- or herself. A media-integrated game is generated by incorporating the received media into a portal game, and a user is provided with access to the generated game. In some embodiments, the generated game is hosted by the portal server, while in other embodiments the generated game is downloaded to a computer or mobile device of the user.

Abstract: An integrated online gaming portal offers entertainment-related casual games and/or user-generated media. The integrated online gaming portal offers a variety of features, including media-based casual games, casual games featuring user-generated content, and a media-based horoscope. Media is received from a variety of sources, including TV and movie studios, actors/actresses, sponsors, and the user him- or herself. A media-integrated game is generated by incorporating the received media into a portal game, and a user is provided with access to the generated game. In some embodiments, the generated game is hosted by the portal server, while in other embodiments the generated game is downloaded to a computer or mobile device of the user.

Abstract: An integrated online gaming portal offers entertainment-related casual games and/or user-generated media. The integrated online gaming portal offers a variety of features, including media-based casual games, casual games featuring user-generated content, and a media-based horoscope. Media is received from a variety of sources, including TV and movie studios, actors/actresses, sponsors, and the user him- or herself. A media-integrated game is generated by incorporating the received media into a portal game, and a user is provided with access to the generated game. In some embodiments, the generated game is hosted by the portal server, while in other embodiments the generated game is downloaded to a computer or mobile device of the user.

Abstract: An integrated online gaming portal offers entertainment-related casual games and/or user-generated media. The integrated online gaming portal offers a variety of features, including media-based casual games, casual games featuring user-generated content, and a media-based horoscope. Media is received from a variety of sources, including TV and movie studios, actors/actresses, sponsors, and the user him- or herself. A media-integrated game is generated by incorporating the received media into a portal game, and a user is provided with access to the generated game. In some embodiments, the generated game is hosted by the portal server, while in other embodiments the generated game is downloaded to a computer or mobile device of the user.

Abstract: A cement composition and a process are provided for recycling a waste material by using the waste in the manufacture of Portland cement. The process generally comprises mixing a first quantity of the waste material thoroughly with a second quantity of a solid material so as to produce a non-compacted additive. The non-compacted additive is applied to cement clinker, wherein the additive is utilized as a substitute for virgin ingredients normally used in the manufacture of the Portland cement. In an embodiment, the non-compacted additive comprises a consistency of wet earth which is readily pliable with the second quantity by weight not exceeding three times the first quantity by weight. The cement clinker is then pulverized so as to distribute the additive within the resulting Portland cement.

Abstract: An integrated online gaming portal offers entertainment-related casual games and/or user-generated media. The integrated online gaming portal offers a variety of features, including media-based casual games, casual games featuring user-generated content, and a media-based horoscope. Media is received from a variety of sources, including TV and movie studios, actors/actresses, sponsors, and the user him- or herself. A media-integrated game is generated by incorporating the received media into a portal game, and a user is provided with access to the generated game. In some embodiments, the generated game is hosted by the portal server, while in other embodiments the generated game is downloaded to a computer or mobile device of the user.

Abstract: An integrated online gaming portal offers entertainment-related casual games and/or user-generated media. The integrated online gaming portal offers a variety of features, including media-based casual games, casual games featuring user-generated content, and a media-based horoscope. Media is received from a variety of sources, including TV and movie studios, actors/actresses, sponsors, and the user him- or herself. A media-integrated game is generated by incorporating the received media into a portal game, and a user is provided with access to the generated game. In some embodiments, the generated game is hosted by the portal server, while in other embodiments the generated game is downloaded to a computer or mobile device of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving human mobility on snow or other icy surfaces when a skier or other user is utilizing a snow-traveling device. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes an assembly comprising a body with an multiple slots formed therein and an aperture formed therein to allow a snow-traveling device to pass therethrough, a crampon structure with elongated teeth for protruding into the snow surface, and a tightening band introduced through the slots of the body for tightening the apparatus to the snow-traveling device. Another embodiment contains system for changing the crampon structure with a convex rudder structure for increasing stability and control. Also disclosed is a disposable friction enhancing fabric that can be attached to various snow-traveling devices for increasing the friction between the snow contacting surface of a snow-traveling device and the snow surface.

Abstract: The present invention pertains, in general, to the identification, isolation and use of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) genes and the proteins encoded by such genes. In particular, the present invention pertains to the identification, isolation and use of TERT genes and TERT proteins from several genetically diverse and economically important organisms, including two human pathogens and an agronomic crop species.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving human mobility on snow or other icy surfaces when a skier or other user is utilizing a snow-traveling device. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes an assembly comprising a body with an multiple slots formed therein and an aperture formed therein to allow a snow-traveling device to pass therethrough, a crampon structure with elongated teeth for protruding into the snow surface, and a tightening band introduced through the slots of the body for tightening the apparatus to the snow-traveling device. Another embodiment contains system for changing the crampon structure with a convex rudder structure for increasing stability and control. Also disclosed is a disposable friction enhancing fabric that can be attached to various snow-traveling devices for increasing the friction between the snow contacting surface of a snow-traveling device and the snow surface.

Abstract: The present invention pertains, in general, to the identification, isolation and use of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) genes and the proteins encoded by such genes. In particular, the present invention pertains to the identification, isolation and use of TERT genes and TERT proteins from several genetically diverse and economically important organisms, including two human pathogens, Candida albicans and Plasmodium falciparum and an agronomic crop species, Oryza sativa.

Abstract: The claimed invention is drawn to a method for ligation of an enzymatic nucleic acid molecule having a hammerhead motif to a separate nucleic acid molecule. The method includes use of ligation enhancing conditions in which ligation is enhanced at least two fold over that observed in a medium containing only Mg.sup.2+ as a divalent cation at 20.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for utilizing waste by combining of the waste with a mineral based solid material forming an additive. This additive is included as an ingredient in the manufacture of Portland cement with the additive being added to the cement clinker after heat treating of the raw material constituents producing the cement clinker.

Abstract: Injectable contrast agents of great clinical importance for lymphography, characterized by non-water soluble particle sizes between about 5 or 10 nm and about 500 or 900 nm, which have selective distribution to lymph nodes upon percutaneous administration and can be imaged with millimeter resolution. Also disclosed are methods for performing percutaneous lymphography using these contrast agents.

Abstract: Perfluorocarbon hydrides, either alone or in combination with other perfluorocarbon compounds, may be introduced into a non-vascular animal space as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) or conventional x-ray procedures. In the image generated by these systems, the fluorocarbon introduced into the space is contrasted with the remaining body tissues or spaces to distinguish the fluorocarbon-occupied space from other tissues and spaces.Perfluoroctyl hydride vaporizes at body temperature, and its gas phase, which also provides in effective contrast to tissues, is disclosed in imaging areas of comparatively large void volume while using a lower fluorocarbon dose then than required for fluid fluorocarbon.Perfluorocarbon hydrides offer less radiodensity to x-ray imaging and less hydrogen density to MRI imaging, and are disclosed as diluents for perfluorocarbon bromides in applications where concentrated brominated compounds are found to cause imaging artifacts.

Abstract: Perfluorocarbon hydrides, either alone or in combination with other perfluorocarbon compounds, may be introduced into a non-vascular animal space as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) or conventional x-ray procedures. In the image generated by these systems, the fluorocarbon introduced into the space is contrasted with the remaining body tissues or spaces to distinguish the fluorocarbon-occupied space from other tissues and spaces. Perfluoroctyl hydride vaporizes at body temperature, and its gas phase, which also provides an effective contrast to tissues, is disclosed in imaging areas of comparatively large void volume while using a lower fluorocarbon dose then than required for fluid fluorocarbon. Perfluorocarbon hydrides offer less radiodensity to x-ray imaging and less hydrogen density to MRI imaging, and are disclosed as diluents for perfluorocarbon bromides in applications where concentrated brominated compounds are found to cause imaging artifacts.

Abstract: An improved method of detecting abnormal cell mass in animals, particularly tumors, wherein a fluorocarbon emulsion and a lysophosphatide or proteinaceous material are administered to animals causing the fluorocarbon to be taken up by the cell mass in hithertofor unobtainable amounts, thus rendering it readily detectable by a variety of physical or chemical methods.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the formation of glass fiber strands is disclosed. One aspect of the invention includes isolating the filament formation level of a double level glass strand forming and collecting operation by creating a positive air pressure in the room containing the filament and strand formation region such that only directed conditioned air enters the room. Due to the net positive air pressure within this room, air flows from the room through any openings rather than air entering the room from the openings. In a second aspect of the invention, conditioned air is directed to each filament forming bushing horizontally at a desired flow rate to help maintain a consistent environment around the bushing and thus improve filament formation.