Abstract: A pulse vacuum hub lock system for selectively engaging a wheel hub to an axial shaft includes a cartridge housing assembly received in a bore in the wheel hub. The cartridge housing assembly supports a clutch ring for movable engagement between splines in the wheel hub and directly on the axle shaft. A diaphragm is connected to a piston assembly and is responsive to a vacuum pressure to activate the piston assembly to engage or disengage a latch mechanism that holds the clutch ring in an engaged or disengaged position. A piston spring and a helper spring are provided between primary and secondary pistons of the piston assembly and allow for separation in the vacuum levels required to activate the latch mechanism. The vacuum hub lock system is compact so as to be disposed inboard of an opening in the exterior surface of a wheel rim.

Abstract: Disclosed is a white-colored copper alloy comprising by weight up to 30% zinc, up to 20% manganese, up to 5% nickel with the balance copper. This alloy may have from 6% to 25% zinc, from 4% to 17% manganese, from 0.1% to 3.5% nickel and the balance copper. The balance copper in the alloy may further contain at least one of: up to 0.5% of at least one of the group which consists of Sn, Si, Co, Ti, Cr, Fe, Mg, Zr, and Ag; and up to 0.1% of at least one of the group which consists of P, B, Ca, Ge, Se, Te. It may also contain up to 0.3% Zr by weight. The alloy may have an electrical conductivity greater than 2.5% IACS at eddy current gauge exciting frequencies between 60 kHz and 480 kHz.

Abstract: A pulse vacuum hub lock system for selectively engaging a wheel hub to an axial shaft includes a cartridge housing assembly received in a bore in the wheel hub. The cartridge housing assembly supports a clutch ring for movable engagement between splines in the wheel hub and directly on the axle shaft. A diaphragm is connected to a piston assembly and is responsive to a vacuum pressure to activate the piston assembly to engage or disengage a latch mechanism that holds the clutch ring in an engaged or disengaged position. A piston spring and a helper spring are provided between primary and secondary pistons of the piston assembly and allow for separation in the vacuum levels required to activate the latch mechanism. The vacuum hub lock system is compact so as to be disposed inboard of an opening in the exterior surface of a wheel rim.

Abstract: A structure for holding sample-containing receptacles includes a cover with holes formed therein through which the receptacles can be accessed with a substance transfer mechanism, such as a robotic pipettor. When the transfer mechanism is inserted into and then withdrawn from a receptacle, a string of viscous material may be suspended from the mechanism. A viscous string removal element adjacent each opening engages the string of viscous material and dislodges the string from the mechanism when the mechanism moves in a prescribed path with respect to the removal element.

Abstract: A method for creating a dynamic systems based hybrid model for reasoning systems is described. The method receives, at a server, a plurality of expert identified deal attributes. The method presents a conjoint analysis questionnaire for input by one or more respondents. The conjoint analysis questionnaire includes questions based on the plurality of expert identified deal attributes. The method receives responses of the one or more respondents to the conjoint analysis questionnaire. The method then defines an expert reasoning model based on the responses of the one or more respondents to the conjoint analysis questionnaire. The method accesses historical deal information of one or more deals, the historical deal information including one or more deals, each deal including a plurality of expert identified deal attributes and a part-worth associated with each of the deal attributes. Finally, the method validates the expert reasoning model based on the historical deal information.

Abstract: A structure for holding sample-containing receptacles includes a cover with holes formed therein through which the receptacles can be accessed with a substance transfer mechanism, such as a robotic pipettor. When the transfer mechanism is inserted into and then withdrawn from a receptacle, a string of viscous material may be suspended from the mechanism. A viscous string removal element adjacent each opening engages the string of viscous material and dislodges the string from the mechanism when the mechanism moves in a prescribed path with respect to the removal element.

Abstract: A method for creating a dynamic systems based hybrid model for reasoning systems is described. The method receives, at a server, a plurality of expert identified deal attributes. The method presents a conjoint analysis questionnaire for input by one or more respondents. The conjoint analysis questionnaire includes questions based on the plurality of expert identified deal attributes. The method receives responses of the one or more respondents to the conjoint analysis questionnaire. The method then defines an expert reasoning model based on the responses of the one or more respondents to the conjoint analysis questionnaire. The method accesses historical deal information of one or more deals, the historical deal information including one or more deals, each deal including a plurality of expert identified deal attributes and a part-worth associated with each of the deal attributes. Finally, the method validates the expert reasoning model based on the historical deal information.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention allow guests at a hospitality facility to communicate via VoIP from a remote terminal. For example, guests at a client terminal can place and receive phone calls, experience content, and receive targeted messages while continuing to play games at the client terminal. Based on the stored guest preference information, hospitality facility operators can selectively target information to each guest.

Abstract: A resealable extended text film panel system. The resealable extended text film panel comprises a shrink sleeve portion and a film text panel. The shrink sleeve portion is integral with the film text panel so that the film text panel is not readily removed from the shrink sleeve portion. A seam is formed between the integral shrink sleeve portion and a first end of the film text panel that delineates the film text panel from the shrink sleeve portion. A resealable strip is affixed to an edge of the film text panel. This resealable strip permits the film text panel to cooperate with the shrink sleeve portion, allowing the film text panel to be unsealed and sealed to the shrink sleeve portion a plurality of times, allowing the printable material on the shrink sleeve portion and on the film text panel to be read by a user as frequently as desired. The resealable strip can be applied to the film text panel or to a portion of the shrink sleeve portion underlying the film text panel.

Abstract: A structure for holding sample-containing receptacles includes a cover with holes formed therein through which the receptacles can be accessed with a substance transfer mechanism, such as a robotic pipettor. When the transfer mechanism is inserted into and then withdrawn from a receptacle, a string of viscous material may be suspended from the mechanism. A viscous string removal element adjacent each opening engages the string of viscous material and dislodges the string from the mechanism when the mechanism moves in a prescribed path with respect to the removal element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a white-colored copper alloy comprising by weight up to 30% zinc, up to 20% manganese, up to 5% nickel with the balance copper. This alloy may have from 6% to 25% zinc, from 4% to 17% manganese, from 0.1% to 3.5% nickel and the balance copper. The balance copper in the alloy may further contain at least one of: up to 0.5% of at least one of the group which consists of Sn, Si, Co, Ti, Cr, Fe, Mg, Zr, and Ag; and up to 0.1% of at least one of the group which consists of P, B, Ca, Ge, Se, Te. It may also contain up to 0.3% Zr by weight. The alloy may have an electrical conductivity greater than 2.5% IACS at eddy current gauge exciting frequencies between 60 kHz and 480 kHz.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for determining the allocation of securities in a portfolio. The method includes providing a collection of securities in a portfolio, each security being associated with associated attributes; providing risk factor data related to the portfolio; pooling the securities into a plurality of security clusters based on the attributes associated with each security and the risk factor data, each security being assigned to an security cluster, the pooling being performed using multivariate decision tree processing; processing the security clusters using a nonlinear programming optimizer to generate optimization results; and presenting the optimization results in a risk-return space for determination of a security allocation.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the invention are directed to portfolio optimization and related techniques. For example, the invention provides a method for multi-objective portfolio optimization for use in investment decisions based on competing objectives and a plurality of constraints constituting a portfolio problem, the method comprising: generating an initial population of solutions of portfolio allocations; performing a first multi-objective process, based on the initial population and the competing objectives, to generate a first interim efficient frontier; performing a second multi-objective process, based on the initial population and the competing objectives, to generate a second interim efficient frontier; and fusing the first interim efficient frontier with the second interim efficient frontier to create an augmented efficient frontier for use in investment decisioning.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention allow guests at a hospitality facility to communicate via VoIP from a remote terminal. For example, guests at a client terminal can place and receive phone calls, experience content, and receive targeted messages while continuing to play games at the client terminal. Based on the stored guest preference information, hospitality facility operators can selectively target information to each guest.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention allow guests at a hospitality facility to request hospitality facility services from a remote terminal. For example, guests can order merchandise (such as event tickets, food and drink, and retail items), make reservations (for example, at hotels, restaurants, and golf courses), and transfer funds between their gaming and services accounts. Hospitality facility operators can then track the preferences of their guests by storing guest preference information and updating the guest preference information each time a guest requests a service. Based on the stored guest preference information, hospitality facility operators can selectively offer each guest those services most desired by the guest.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the invention are directed to portfolio optimization and related techniques. For example, the invention provides a method for multi-objective portfolio optimization for use in investment decisions based on competing objectives and a plurality of constraints constituting a portfolio problem, the method comprising: generating an initial population of solutions of portfolio allocations; performing a first multi-objective process, based on the initial population and the competing objectives, to generate a first interim efficient frontier; performing a second multi-objective process, based on the initial population and the competing objectives, to generate a second interim efficient frontier; and fusing the first interim efficient frontier with the second interim efficient frontier to create an augmented efficient frontier for use in investment decisioning.