Abstract: A powder coating composition comprising an intimate mixture of: (a) at least one film forming NIR radiation curable resin; (b) 1.0 to 20.0 wt. %, based on total weight of the powder coating composition, of at least one NIR reflecting pigment; and (c) at least one curing agent in an effective amount to cure said powder coating composition; wherein components (a), (b) and (c) are not reacted prior to being mixed together and whereby the powder coating composition is cured by NIR radiation.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor (APS) image sensor comprises an array of pixel circuits corresponding to rows and columns of pixels, a plurality of amplifiers that buffer signals output by the array of pixel circuits, and a plurality of sample and hold circuits that read the buffered signals. A routing mechanism is positioned between the array of pixel circuits and the plurality of amplifiers.

Abstract: A method and system for matching an unknown facial image of an individual with an image of a celebrity using facial recognition techniques and human perception is disclosed herein. The invention provides a internet hosted system to find, compare, contrast and identify similar characteristics among two or more individuals using a digital camera, cellular telephone camera, wireless device for the purpose of returning information regarding similar faces to the user The system features classification of unknown facial images from a variety of internet accessible sources, including mobile phones, wireless camera-enabled devices, images obtained from digital cameras or scanners that are uploaded from PCs, third-party applications and databases. Once classified, the matching person's name, image and associated meta-data is sent back to the user.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly includes a bearing shaft having an inboard end and an outboard end, a wheel hub mounted onto the outboard end of the bearing shaft, and a detachable outboard joint mounted onto the inboard end of the bearing shaft. A wheel bearing is mounted onto the bearing shaft between the inboard end and the outboard end. The inboard end of the bearing shaft includes a flange portion to support the wheel bearing on the bearing shaft and to induce a pre-load into the wheel bearing such that the pre-load is maintained on the wheel bearing when the outboard joint is removed from the wheel end assembly. A support hub is positioned between and interconnects the detachable outboard joint and the bearing shaft. The support hub has a shaft portion that engages the bearing shaft and an engagement portion extending axially from the shaft portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for efficient electronic document management. One embodiment of the inventive method involves retrieving a user-specific administrator setup file comprising a plurality of parameters pertaining to tasks that a user is authorized to perform on electronic documents, selecting at least one authorized task for performance on a selected electronic document, in accordance with the user-specific administrator setup files, and executing the selected authorized tasks in accordance with at least one set of predefined task execution instructions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for efficient electronic document management. One embodiment of the inventive method involves generating one or more user-specific administrator setup files comprising a plurality of parameters pertaining to tasks and steps that users are authorized to perform on electronic documents, wherein some of the parameters are encoded using a private key so that only an authorized user having the corresponding private key can access the encoded parameters. These administrator setup files are retrieved by the corresponding users, who implement their respective administrator setup files to allow performance of at least some of the authorized tasks and steps on a selected electronic document or group of electronic documents. The inventive method substantially eliminates the potential for human error and security breaches in the performance of document management tasks.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly includes a bearing shaft having an inboard end and an outboard end. A wheel hub is mounted onto the outboard end of the bearing shaft, and a detachable outboard joint is mounted onto the inboard end of the bearing shaft. A wheel bearing is mounted onto the bearing shaft between the inboard end and the outboard end. The inboard end of the bearing shaft includes a flange portion that provides a support to keep the wheel bearing positioned onto the bearing shaft and induces a pre-load into the wheel bearing such that the pre-load is maintained on the wheel bearing when the outboard joint is removed from the wheel end assembly.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly includes a bearing shaft having a wheel hub mounted onto an outboard end, and a detachable outboard joint mounted onto an inboard end. A wheel bearing is mounted onto the bearing shaft, and includes a knuckle flange having an inner diameter that defines an inboard outer race and an outboard outer race. An inboard inner race and an outboard inner race are supported on the bearing shaft. Bearing elements are positioned between the inner and outer races. An inboard bearing ring is mounted onto the bearing shaft. The inboard bearing ring defines the inboard inner race and includes an engagement portion extending axially inward that engages the detachable outboard joint. The bearing shaft includes a flange portion that supports the inboard bearing ring and the wheel bearing when the outboard joint is removed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for coating a surface of a substrate with a powder coating composition and forming a smooth film thereon; wherein the process comprises: applying a powder coating composition to a surface of a substrate; melting and curing the powder coating composition, wherein pulsed NIR radiation is used to perform said melting and curing of the powder coating composition, the NIR radiation being provided by an NIR radiation emitter and the pulsed NIR radiation comprising the steps of: a) applying heat by NIR radiation at 20-50% NIR radiation emitter power to the surface of the substrate coated with the powder coating composition for a sufficient time to at least partially adhere the powder coating to the surface of the substrate; and then b) removing the heat for a period of time to allow the powder coating to at least partially coalesce and adhere to the surface of the substrate; and then c) applying said heat by NIR radiation at 80-100% NIR radiation emitter power to the su

Abstract: A powder coating composition comprising an intimate mixture of: (a) at least one film forming NIR radiation curable resin; (b) 1.0 to 20.0 wt. %, based on total weight of the powder coating composition, of at least one NIR reflecting pigment; and (c) at least one curing agent in an effective amount to cure said powder coating composition; wherein components (a), (b) and (c) are not reacted prior to being mixed together and whereby the powder coating composition is cured by NIR radiation.

Abstract: A vented disc brake rotor is provided. In one embodiment, the rotor includes a plurality of curved directing walls disposed between first and second braking surfaces to define a plurality of flow channels. A separating wall is disposed in each flow channel to create first and second subchannels. The total cross-sectional area of each flow channel remains substantially constant over the length of the flow channel. The flow channels can be closed to the two braking surfaces. Alternatively, the braking surfaces can be intermittent, defining a plurality of gaps that provide access to the flow channels. A tapered throat region between the braking surfaces and a hat region facilitates dissipation of heat from the braking surfaces. Rotors according to the present invention can be fabricated in a single step using various conventional casting techniques, such as die-, sand- and squeeze-casting.

Abstract: A vented disc brake rotor is provided. In one embodiment, the rotor includes a plurality of curved directing walls disposed between first and second braking surfaces to define a plurality of flow channels. A separating wall is disposed in each flow channel to create first and second subchannels. The total cross-sectional area of each flow channel remains substantially constant over the length of the flow channel. The flow channels can be closed to the two braking surfaces. Alternatively, the braking surfaces can be intermittent, defining a plurality of gaps that provide access to the flow channels. A tapered throat region between the braking surfaces and a hat region facilitates dissipation of heat from the braking surfaces. Rotors according to the present invention can be fabricated in a single step using various conventional casting techniques, such as die-, sand- and squeeze-casting.

Abstract: A vented disc brake rotor is provided. In one embodiment, the rotor includes a plurality of curved directing walls disposed between first and second braking surfaces to define a plurality of flow channels. A separating wall is disposed in each flow channel to create first and second subchannels. The total cross-sectional area of each flow channel remains substantially constant over the length of the flow channel. The flow channels can be closed to the two braking surfaces. Alternatively, the braking surfaces can be intermittent, defining a plurality of gaps that provide access to the flow channels. A tapered throat region between the braking surfaces and a hat region facilitates dissipation of heat from the braking surfaces. Rotors according to the present invention can be fabricated in a single step using various conventional casting techniques, such as die-, sand- and squeeze-casting.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect switch and manufacturing method therefor is provided which includes a planar lightwave circuit having a number of optical waveguides and trenches. The planar lightwave circuit has a first waveguide and a second waveguide that intersect the trench such that optical coupling between the first and second waveguides is dependent upon a presence of a fluid at an intersection of the trench with the first and second waveguides. A mounting base, having a channel and through openings provided therein, has fill tubes disposed in the groove and through openings of the mounting base. A reservoir pedestal having through openings provided therein and bonded to the reservoir pedestal with the fill tubes extending through the through openings therein to form a reservoir substrate.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect switch and manufacturing method therefor is provided which includes a planar lightwave circuit having a number of optical waveguides and trenches. The planar lightwave circuit has a first waveguide and a second waveguide that intersect the trench such that optical coupling between the first and second waveguides is dependent upon a presence of a fluid at an intersection of the trench with the first and second waveguides. A mounting base, having a channel and through openings provided therein, has fill tubes disposed in the groove and through openings of the mounting base. A reservoir pedestal having through openings provided therein and bonded to the reservoir pedestal with the fill tubes extending through the through openings therein to form a reservoir substrate.

Abstract: A retaining wall system and method for stabilizing earthen walls comprises box members assembled together to form a reinforcing wall assembly and anchor mesh connected to the box members and buried within the earthen wall. The box members define an interior cavity and a rear wall that engages the face of the earthen wall. Waste material such as used tires or waste dirt may be placed within the interior chambers of the box members. The anchor mesh is attached to the rear wall to inhibit lateral movement of the reinforcing wall assembly. The box members are connected to the anchor mesh by locking pins that extend through loop portions of the anchor mesh and engage a front face of the wall panels. Anchor bars are connected to the loop portions of the anchor mesh. These anchor bars engage a back face of the box members to control and limit the movement of the box members relative to the anchor mesh as earth is back-filled against the box members.

Abstract: Methods of treating various cancers, such as prostatic adenocarcinoma, with inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG Co-A), such as lovastatin, are provided. Dosing ranges, schedules and toxicities are included.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting thin tissue sections using an anti-roll rake. The anti-roll rake comprises a rake head for engaging the cut tissue section and leading it away from the specimen block without rolling. The rake head is hingedly mounted to a mounting surface in the cutting instrument by way of a linkage assembly in order to provide freedom of movement between the various operational and non-operational positions.