Abstract: This invention includes original systems and methodologies required to conduct perpetual online competitions within social networked marketplaces and economies. Among these systems and methodologies are: perpetual competition-based earnings model, Judges' ranking expiration and devaluation, Judges' ranking upvaluation, and perpetual competition-based business entities and exchanges. The first three inventions are intended to motivate and incentivize four groups of competition participants: Organizers, Contestants, Judges and Followers. The fourth invention provides entrepreneurs the systems and methods for creating a multifaceted business entity within the framework of an online social platform. All inventions function in tandem to form a dynamic and endlessly evolving competitive environment to maximize entertainment value and business development opportunities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material combination comprising a first fluid comprising a liquid crystal material, and an electrically insulating second fluid substantially not miscible with the first fluid, and to an optical device using the same.

Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen isotope recycling apparatus for recycling an isotope of hydrogen includes an electrochemical recycling unit, the unit comprising: an anode; a cathode; and an isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane operatively disposed between the anode and cathode, the isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane having heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen therein, the device configured to receive a feedstream containing the isotope of hydrogen. A process by which high purity hydrogen isotope products are produced using an electrochemical membrane process in which all conventional water containing components are pre-processed using a heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of predicting a SGA infant in a patient at a pre-symptomatic gestational stage is described. The method comprises a step of assaying a biological sample from the patient for an abundance of a plurality of metabolite biomarkers selected from the 19 metabolite biomarkers of Table IV, correlating the abundance of the plurality of metabolite biomarkers with a metabolite fingerprint of SGA shown in Table IV, and predicting SGA based on the level of correlation between the abundance of the plurality of metabolite biomarkers and the metabolite fingerprint of Table IV.

Abstract: A method of predicting a SGA infant in a patient at a pre-symptomatic gestational stage is described. The method comprises a step of assaying a biological sample from the patient for an abundance of a plurality of metabolite biomarkers selected from the 19 metabolite biomarkers of Table IV, correlating the abundance of the plurality of metabolite biomarkers with a metabolite fingerprint of SGA shown in Table IV, and predicting SGA based on the level of correlation between the abundance of the plurality of metabolite biomarkers and the metabolite fingerprint of Table IV.

Abstract: The invention relates to physical activity apparatus and has for its object the provision of apparatus that stimulates enjoyment and competitiveness and yet can be used by a single player. The objective is met by physical activity apparatus for playing a physical activity game comprising (i) projector unit capable of projecting one or more light beams onto a planar, upright surface such as a wall; (ii) signal unit(s) adapted to be held or worn by a player and with which a player attempts to intercept a light beam; (iii) means to cause the direction of the one or more light beams to change; and (iv) means to limit the maximum extent of horizontal and vertical movement of the one or more light beams.

Abstract: A pair of form keys and a method for forming reverse drafts in foam parts are disclosed. A male form key is reciprocally mounted in a first mold half in a retracted position. A female form key is rotatably mounted in a second mold half in a neutral position. The first mold half includes a first drive pin that when engaged, moves the male form key into engagement with a foam sheet to form an undercut as the first and second mold halves are closed. The first mold half also includes a second drive pin that engages the female form key as the first and second mold halves close rotating the female form key into engagement with the foam sheet and the male form key. After closure of the mold and the product is formed, the mold is opened. As this occurs, the drive pins are disengaged and the male form key retracts and the female form key rotates to their neutral positions. The formed product may then be stripped from the mold while maintaining the reverse draft or undercut.

Abstract: A method and system for searching databases having items indexed by multiple keywords that are indicative of the item being indexed for easy searching by having keyword lists that reference lists of items that fall under these specific keywords. These keyword lists reference item lists that indicate which item is under which keyword and how this item can be found in a database. The keyword lists are advantageously searched by storing them in a word tree where each node in the word tree is an element of a keyword. By traversing the word tree to arrive at a bottom node or at an intermediary node from which bottom nodes derive, partial and full keyword searches are performed. These keyword lists and their corresponding item lists are able to be cached at a user computer from which the user performs his or her search. Any items that match the search terms entered by the user can then be retrieved from a remote server.

Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine includes a helical inlet port with a sharp edge swirl lip on a generally cylindrical valve stem recess. The helical inlet port has an inlet passage, a bowl-shaped chamber which has a rim that terminates in an annular valve seat and which encompasses an annular space about a generally cylindrical valve stem guide for a poppet valve stem. One surface of the bowl meets one wall of the inlet passage along a swirl edge, which has a radius of less than about 0.5 mm, and preferably a sharp edge with a radius of less than about 0.1 mm. Such swirl edges may be formed by casting the inlet port with excess material, which is then machined away only within the bowl along a cylindrical cutting line.