Abstract: A method of playing a game by a group of players by using a gaming platform is provided. The group of players consists of at least two players. The gaming platform comprises an electronic device coupled to a gaming accessory. The method comprises: (A) selecting a first player from the group of players. The first selected player is called a chooser, wherein each remaining player in the group of players is called a guesser. The method further comprises: (B) the chooser selects a first secret answer to a first posted question; (C) the first secret answer to the first posted question is recorded; (D) at least one guesser places a bet that is configured to correctly guess the recorded first secret answer; and (E) the recorded first secret answer to the first posted question is revealed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for listing and trading fixed-payoff derivative contracts between two or more parties based on the movement of one or more underlying financial instruments. The invention, henceforth referred to as a “Win, Lose or Draw” derivative contract, is a position for or against the occurrence of a designated price event above an underlying financial instrument's spot price before the occurrence of a designated price event below an underlying financial instrument's spot price, or vice versa, within a designated time period. If neither designated price event occurs within the designated time period, no loss of position is incurred by either party. Embodiments of the invention include American-style and European-style contracts, cash or asset-backed contracts, transferable positions, multiple underlying financial instruments within the same contract, asymmetric time periods, expirationless time periods and entity-banked contracts.

Abstract: Techniques for analyzing one or more protein structures. In one aspect of the invention, the technique comprises the following steps. A normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is determined for a protein structure. The normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is then used for analysis of the protein structure. A scoring function in accordance with the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment for the protein structure may be determined. A score for the protein structure may then be generated using the scoring function. The scoring function may represent an integral of the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment. The scores may be generated for a plurality of protein structures. The scores generated for the plurality of protein structures may then be compared.

Abstract: Techniques for analyzing protein structures, such as a tertiary protein structure, are provided. A centroid of the residue centroids is calculated. The centroid of the residue centroids is used as a spatial origin of a global linear hydrophobic moment. The correlation between residue centroid magnitude and residue solvent accessibility is enhanced. The global linear hydrophobic moment is defined, wherein each of the residue centroids contributes a magnitude and direction to the global linear hydrophobic moment. A method for comparing at least two tertiary protein structures is also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for protein structure analysis are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for characterizing a multi-domain protein structure comprises the following steps. For at least one domain, a hydrophobic dipole, e.g., defined as a first-order hydrophobic moment of the domain, is calculated. A score representing the orientation of the hydrophobic dipole of the at least one domain relative to a hydrophobic dipole of one or more other domains of the multi-domain protein structure is then calculated.

Abstract: Techniques for analyzing one or more protein structures. In one aspect of the invention, the technique comprises the following steps. A normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is determined for a protein structure. The normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is then used for analysis of the protein structure. A scoring function in accordance with the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment for the protein structure may be determined. A score for the protein structure may then be generated using the scoring function. The scoring function may represent an integral of the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment. The scores may be generated for a plurality of protein structures. The scores generated for the plurality of protein structures may then be compared.

Abstract: A rotatable, portable drum auger drain cleaning device includes a rotational control which is biased towards the off position. The rotational control device is utilized in conjunction with a motor and the drum to direct drum rotation. The rotational control is typically biased in the off position making it the default position. The rotational control must therefore be manually moved to either a forward or reverse position. When in the forward position, the rotational control can be locked, and when in the reverse position, the switch must be manually held in position or the switch will return to the off position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for listing and trading fixed-payoff derivative contracts between two parties based on the movement of an underlying financial instrument in a manner that eliminates the cost associated with a traditional option premium. The invention, henceforth referred to as a “Win, Lose or Draw” derivative contract, is a cash position for or against the occurrence of a designated price event above an underlying financial instrument's spot price before the occurrence of a designated price event below an underlying financial instrument's spot price, or vice versa, within a designated time period. If neither designated price event occurs within the designated time period, no loss of cash position is incurred by either party.

Abstract: A profiler which spatially profiles a hydrophobicity distribution for the transmembrane protein based on a scaled hydrophobicity value, includes an identifier for identifying a residue external to a membrane and removing the residue to obtain a truncated structure comprising plural residue side-chains, and a calculator which calculates plural residue centroids for the plural residue side-chains, calculates a distribution of the plural residue centroids, and obtains a geometric center for the distribution.

Abstract: Techniques for protein structure analysis are provided. In one aspect, a method of analyzing a multi-domain protein structure comprises the following steps. For at least one domain, a hydrophobic dipole, e.g., defined as a first-order hydrophobic moment of the domain, is calculated. A score representing the orientation of the hydrophobic dipole of the at least one domain relative to a hydrophobic dipole of one or more other domains of the multi-domain protein structure is then calculated.

Abstract: A rotatable, portable drum auger drain cleaning device includes a rotational control which is biased towards the off position. The rotational control device is utilized in conjunction with a motor and the drum to direct drum rotation. The rotational control is typically biased in the off position making it the default position. The rotational control must therefore be manually moved to either a forward or reverse position. When in the forward position, the rotational control can be locked, and when in the reverse position, the switch must be manually held in position or the switch will return to the off position.

Abstract: A casino-style blackjack card game that offers players the option of placing wagers against the occurrence of their hand value exceeding 21 (commonly known as busting) on the next card drawn when they have a hard card count of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for executing a fixed-payoff derivative contract between two parties that provide the opportunity to speculate on the movement of single-stock equities, equity indexes, bonds, commodities and currencies in a manner that eliminates the cost of an option premium. The invention, henceforth referred to as a “Win, Lose or Draw” derivative contract, is a cash position for or against the occurrence of a designated price event above an underlying financial instrument's spot price before a designated price event below an underlying financial instrument's spot price, or vice versa, within a designated time period. If neither designated price event occurs within the designated time period, no loss of cash position is incurred by either party. Additional embodiments include the application of asset-backed contracts, transferable positions, multiple underlying financial instruments within the same contract, and expirationless time periods.

Abstract: Techniques for protein structure analysis are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for characterizing a multi-domain protein structure comprises the following steps. For at least one domain, a hydrophobic dipole, e.g., defined as a first-order hydrophobic moment of the domain, is calculated. A score representing the orientation of the hydrophobic dipole of the at least one domain relative to a hydrophobic dipole of one or more other domains of the multi-domain protein structure is then calculated.

Abstract: Techniques for protein structure analysis are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for characterizing at least a portion of a protein structure comprising amino acid residues is provided. A set of values characterizing the protein structure are determined, wherein each value represents a distance from a center of the protein structure to a center of a given one or more of the amino acid residues. One or more other sets of values characterizing the hydrophobicity of the protein structure are obtained. A Fourier transform is performed on each of the sets of values to obtain transformed values sets. The transformed value sets are compared to correlate the hydrophobicity with the protein structure.

Abstract: Techniques for protein structure analysis are provided. In one aspect, an article of manufacture for characterizing at least a portion of a protein structure comprising amino acid residues is provided. A set of values characterizing the protein structure are determined, wherein each value represents a distance from a center of the protein structure to a center of a given one or more of the amino acid residues. One or more other sets of values characterizing the hydrophobicity of the protein structure are obtained. A Fourier transform is performed on each of the sets of values to obtain transformed values sets. The transformed value sets are compared to correlate the hydrophobicity with the protein structure.

Abstract: A fixed-payoff derivative that provides the opportunity to speculate on the movement of single-stock equities, equity indexes, bonds, commodities and currencies in a manner that eliminates the cost of an option premium. The invention, henceforth referred to as a “Win, Lose or Draw” derivative contract, is a cash position for or against the occurrence of a designated price event above an underlying financial instrument's spot price before a designated price event below an underlying financial instrument's spot price, or vice versa, within a designated time period. If neither designated price event occurs within the designated time period, no loss of cash position is incurred by either party.

Abstract: A method of and rules for playing variations of Craps includes novel working bets including, for example, “Place Number” bets. The invention introduces bets for any one of one or more of the numbers 2, 3, 11 and 12 occurring before the number 7 occurs in the roll of dice; bets for the individual numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 occurring before any one of one or more of the numbers 2, 3, 11 and 12 occurs in the roll of the dice; bets for the individual numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 occurring before either the number 7 or at least one of the numbers 2, 3, 11 and 12 occurs in the roll of dice; and a singular bet for any one of two 2s, two 3s, two 4s or two 5s occurring before any other combination of a count of 4, 6, 7, 8 or 10 and/or at least one of a count of 2, 3, 11 or 12.

Abstract: Techniques for analyzing one or more protein structures. In one aspect of the invention, the technique comprises the following steps. A normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is determined for a protein structure. The normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is then used for analysis of the protein structure. A scoring function in accordance with the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment for the protein structure may be determined. A score for the protein structure may then be generated using the scoring function. The scoring function may represent an integral of the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment. The scores may be generated for a plurality of protein structures. The scores generated for the plurality of protein structures may then be compared.

Abstract: Techniques for analyzing one or more protein structures. In one aspect of the invention, the technique comprises the following steps. A normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is determined for a protein structure. The normalized second-order hydrophobic moment is then used for analysis of the protein structure. A scoring function in accordance with the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment for the protein structure may be determined. A score for the protein structure may then be generated using the scoring function. The scoring function may represent an integral of the normalized second-order hydrophobic moment. The scores may be generated for a plurality of protein structures. The scores generated for the plurality of protein structures may then be compared.